Stop Heart Attack

Are You Familiar With The Benefits Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids?

2009-11-13T13:42:00.000+07:00

Are you familiar with the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids? After all of the research that has been carried out on the benefits of Omega 3, and the many papers that have been written on the subject, it would seem to be a funny question, but you would be amazed at the number of people who are not familiar with the benefits Of Omega 3 fatty acids. For those people who are not familiar with the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids, this article is for you. Our brain is comprised of some sixty per cent fat, and one half of that is DHA fatty acids. The job of the DHA is to keep us happy and contented. But you must know this, if our DHA levels ever drop, we shall be subjected to bouts of depression and other emotional distress.
One of the benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids is the news from a New Zealand company, about the results from their research department. It would appear that they have discovered a way to double the anti-inflammatory properties of an Omega 3 supplement. This discovery gives them an oil that is more powerful that the most highly concentrated oils on the market today.
The benefits extend even to pregnant women, these women have discovered that the DHA fats in the Omega 3 help to build their foetuses cerebral cortex. As this is closely related to their child's IQ, you can see how important this is for the normal development of their foetus and child. The benefits do not stop there either. The DHA helps to build the child's immune system, helping to prevent allergies.
The DHA and the EPA fatty acids join together to help prevent heart attacks. It has been said that the presence of Omega 3 helps to strengthen the hearts electrical system and thus, helps to prevent heart rhythm abnormalities. Fish oils also help to maintain the elasticity of our artery walls, thus helping to prevent or reverse atherosclerosis, (hardening of the arteries).

The Question Is - Is Omega 3 Good For You?

2009-11-13T13:40:00.000+07:00

Is Omega 3 good for you? I think it is. Omega 3 fatty acids help our body in so many ways. They help to promote good heart health, they also help our brain by keeping us mentally fit, happy and healthy. They have strong anti-inflammatory properties, they take away your aches and pains, and they keep our hair shiny and put a glow on our skin. And to think you get all of this, just by taking two little soft gel capsules. Now, when you think, is Omega 3 good for you? Think about how it helps your heart. It is a fact that Omega 3 helps to prevent the platelets in our blood from joining together and forming clots. These clots block our arteries and are the main cause of heart attacks and strokes. On top of all that, fish oil is a natural blood thinner, and this helps to reduce our blood pressure.
Now we will talk about the natural anti-inflammatory properties of Omega 3 supplements. There is a company in New Zealand whose research and development team has discovered a process that has doubled the anti-inflammatory properties of their oil. This oil has proved to be a big hit, for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and other arthritic type diseases. You tell me, is Omega 3 good for you?
The DHA fatty acids in the Omega 3 help to keep us happy. You must know that if our DHA levels (they are tied to our serotonin levels) ever get low, then we shall be overcome with bouts of depression and other emotional diseases. But the DHA fats also help our memory, and when these Omega 3 supplements are taken on a regular basis, they also help our recall function.
I mentioned up above, that this oil helps to keep our hair, skin and nails in a good healthy condition. But this Omega 3 fatty acids do so much more for you than just that. For instance, it improves our vision, it improves our focus, colour, perception and clarity of vision. It even helps our digestion. It assists with Crohn's disease by improving intestinal health and reducing inflammation.

All About Protein

2009-11-13T13:37:00.002+07:00

Proteins are very important to our bodies. It isn't just for bodybuilders who use them to gain muscle mass. Those who are sick use them to rebuild damaged tissue and even in normal states, our body uses protein for many different tasks. Proteins are made of amino acids that are folded together. There are essential amino acids - those that our body cannot make, and non essential amino acids - those that our body can make. Proteins that are made up of all the essential amino acids are said to be complete while those that lack in one or more essential amino acid are incomplete. Complete proteins come from sources such as meat, eggs, cheese, dairy and soy. Incomplete proteins come mainly from vegetable sources with the one exception being soy.
The ideal source should be complete proteins. For most people that isn't a problem. If you are worried about fat intake, try lean cuts of beef, chicken and turkey. For vegetarians whose main source comes from incomplete proteins, getting a variety of vegetables and whole grains throughout the day will ensure that all essential amino acids are consumed. Also, using soy protein (which is the only complete vegetable source of protein) is very beneficial.

Fish Oil Quality - Most Of Us Seem To Take It For Granted

2009-11-13T13:36:00.000+07:00

As I mentioned in the title, most of us seem to take fish oil quality for granted. We can not really afford to do so. There are many unscrupulous companies out there that will sell you oil that has not been purified. They attempt to justify this by saying that their oil is fresh, so it does not need to be purified. If you believe this, you will be ingesting the following heavy metals and toxins. These toxins are lead, mercury and the PCBs. The PCBs are especially dangerous, because they cause cancer. They also take hundreds of years to break down. The mercury can cause trembling, short term memory loss and psychological disturbances, also anger fits and loss of self control. Classic signs of mercury poisoning are loss of hair and discoloured fingernails. Fish oil quality is very important.
Fish oil quality is important, the DHA fatty acids in the oil are used in vast quantities by our brain, which is comprised of some sixty per cent fat, one half of that is DHA fats. The job given to these DHA fats is to keep us happy. But you must know this, if the DHA fats ( they are tied to our serotonin levels) ever get low, then we shall suffer from periods of depression and other emotional episodes.
Fish oil quality is important especially when it comes to pregnant women, because the DHA fatty acids are entrusted with the job of building the foetuses cerebral cortex. This is tied to the babies IQ, so it is important for the normal development of the foetus and the baby. The mother does not miss out either as regular doses of Omega 3 supplements help to prevent post natal depression.
Another thing that will probably help pregnant women and those with rheumatoid arthritis is the fact that this oil helps to get rid of the pain and the swellings often associated with both arthritic sufferers and pregnant women. It is the oils natural anti-inflammatory properties that helps here. It is good for alleviating these pains and swellings.

We Should Make Omega 3 Fatty Acids A Part of Our Regular Diet

2009-11-13T13:33:00.000+07:00

The two most potent form of fatty acids in Omega 3 are DHA and EPA fatty acids. These fats are used in huge amounts by our brain. The DHA especially is used to keep us happy and contented. However you must be made aware that if these DHA fats, (they are tied to our serotonin levels) ever get low, then we can suffer from periods of depression and other emotional episodes.
The DHA fatty acids also help to keep our memory in good shape, as well as our recall function.
There is a company in New Zealand whose research team has developed an omega 3 supplement that has double the anti-inflammatory properties of other concentrated oils. This oil is fast becoming a best seller for this go ahead company. They sell their products all over the world via the internet. And you can even qualify for free shipping.
The DHA and EPA fatty acids join together to help prevent us from suffering from heart attacks. They help to stop the platelets in our blood from coming together and forming clots. These clots block our arteries and are the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Talking about this being a natural blood thinner. If you are on prescription type blood thinners or aspirin (an anticoagulant) you must consult with your doctor before starting on a course of these Omega 3 supplements. And even if your doctor gives you the go ahead, you must not take more than 2,000mg per day of these Omega 3 supplements. It is better to be safe than sorry.
As always, when taking these Omega 3 supplements, do not buy one that has not been molecularly distilled to remove the contaminants. These impurities are lead, mercury and the PCBs. These contaminants are all dangerous, especially the PCBs which cause cancer. This process is the only method of getting rid of these PCBs.

Free Health and Wellness eBooks

2009-11-12T12:51:00.000+07:00


3 Steps to Success with the Amazon Herb Company	An Introduction to Cell Foods (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95	Dietary Nucleic Acids (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95



Honest Food Guide (Full Color) USA Ship Cost: Laminated $3.00	How to End Cruelty to Animals, People and Nature (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95	Live with Dr. Elson Haas (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95



Live with Dr. Fred Baughman (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95	Live with Dr. Lisa Newman (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95	Live with Dr. Pizzorno (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95



Live with Dr. Ray Strand (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95	The Truth About Aspartame, MSG and Excitotoxins, an interview with Dr. Russell Blaylock (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95	Live with Gary Null (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95



Secret Sources	Superfoods for Optimum Health - Chlorella and Spirulina (Free Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value of $7.95	The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95



The Healing Power of Water (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $9.95	The Ten Most Important Emerging Technologies for Humanity (Downloadable PDF) FREE eBOOK Value $29.00

Blood Transfusions Increase Risk of Heart Attack and Death

2009-11-12T12:46:00.000+07:00

Blood transfusions increase the risk of complications and reduce survival rates. Recent research is revealing that almost immediately after it is donated, blood begins to loose its ability to transfer oxygen from the red cells into the tissues of the patient. When patients receive stored blood, their chances of heart attack, heart failure, stroke and death increase in proportion to the length of time the blood has been stored.

Nitric oxide in red blood cells is critical to the delivery of oxygen to tissues. It is nitric oxide that keeps blood vessels open. Several recent studies have shown that the nitric oxide in red blood cells begins to break down almost immediately after the donated cells leave the body of the donor. It doesn't matter how much oxygen is carried by red blood cells. Without sufficient amounts of nitric oxide, this oxygen cannot reach the tissues. When the blood vessels cannot open because of insufficient nitric oxide, tissues go without oxygen. The result can be fatal.

Recent Studies and results

In a study reported in the March 20, 2008 New England Journal of Medicine, researchers tested the hypothesis that serious complications and mortality after cardiac surgery are increased when transfused red cells are stored for more than 2 weeks. Data was examined from patients given red cell transfusions during coronary-artery bypass grafting, heart-valve surgery, or both between June 30, 1998 and January 30, 2006. A total of 2,872 patients received 8,802 units of blood that had been stored for 14 days or less ("newer blood") and 3,130 patients received 10,782 units of blood that had been stored for more than 14 days ("older blood"). The median duration of storage was 11 days for newer blood and 20 days for older blood.

Researchers found that patients who were given older units had higher rates of in-hospital mortality (2.8% vs. 1.7%, P=0.003), incubation beyond 72 hours (7% vs. 5.6%, P=0.001). kidney failure (2.7% vs.1.6%, P=0.003), and sepsis or septicemia (4.0% vs. 2.8%, P=0.01). A composite of complications was more common in patients given older blood (25.9% vs. 22.4%, P=0.001). Older blood was associated with an increase in the risk-adjusted rate of the composite outcomes (P=0.03). At one year, mortality was significantly less in the patients given newer blood (7.4% vs. 11.0% P<0.001).

Researchers concluded that in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, transfusion of red cells that had been stored for more than 2 weeks was associated with a significant increased risk of postoperative complications as well as reduced short-term and long-term survival.

In another study, at the University of Bristol and the Bristol Heart Institute in the U.K., reported by the American Heart Association in Circulation, research was aimed at quantifying associations of transfusion with clinical outcomes and cost in patients having cardiac surgery.

Researchers examined clinical, hematology, and blood transfusion databases linked with the UK population register. Additional hematocrit information was obtained from intensive care unit charts. Respiratory, wound infections or septicemia, and heart attack, stoke, and renal impairment or failure were pre-specified as co-primary end points. Secondary outcomes were resource use, cost, and survival. Associations were estimated with an adjusted regression model. All adult patients having cardiac surgery over an eight year period with key exposure and outcome data were included in the study.

Researchers concluded that patients receiving a red blood cell transfusion were three times more likely to experience complications from lack of oxygen to key organs, such as heart attack or stroke. At any time after their operations, transfused patients were less likely to have been discharged from the hospital, and were more likely to have died. Red blood cell transfusions were also associated with increase length of hospital stay, increased early and late mortality, and higher hospital costs.

A study at Duke university in 2004 found that heart patients who receive a blood transfusion to treat blood loss or anemia were twice as likely to die during their first 30 days of hospitalization. They were also more than three times as likely to suffer a heart attack within 30 days, when compared to those who did not receive a transfusion.

This study was based on a retrospective analysis of the treatments received by more than 24,000 patients who had experienced an acute coronary syndrome.

Conclusions

There are times when transfusion may be necessary, such as when a patient has undergone massive blood loss. However, it is apparent that many physicians often rush to order a transfusion when it may not be needed, simply based on the patient having low numbers on a blood test. The body can generally respond to lower blood levels by producing more red blood cells. This is how a donor replaces the blood he has donated. These study results suggest that this readiness to transfuse needs to be examined.

When transfusion is indicated, the age of the blood should be a consideration in light of the study results, even if it is your own blood that has been banked for use in your surgery. Current practice is to store blood for transfusion for up to six weeks. Yet this research indicates that positive outcomes are associated with transfusions of fresh blood. Treating stored red blood cells with a solution of nitric oxide results in restoration of most of the ability of the red cells to provide oxygen to tissues. As the first study indicates, stored blood becomes deficient in nitric oxide, limiting its ability to transport oxygen to the tissues of the body. Yet stored blood is not routinely treated with nitric oxide before it is administered in most hospitals.

The ability to screen donated blood for HIV and other infections has lead to an understanding among people that blood for transfusion is safe. People accept transfusion when it is bought up, because they assume it is a safe procedure. These studies indicate otherwise. As these findings become more widely known, empowered patients may begin to question the need and appropriateness of transfusion except in the most dire of circumstances. The empowered patient may even begin to question the need for the surgery that is being recommended, and view it, as also indicated, in only the most dire circumstances.

Sources:

(http://cardiology.jwatch.org/cgi/co...)

(http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content...)

(http://circ.ahajournals.org/cgi/con...)

(http://www.dukemednews.duke.edu/new...)

Researchers Discover How Niacin Ups HDL, Lowers Heart Attack Risk

2009-11-12T12:43:00.000+07:00

Have high cholesterol? Worried about suffering from the nation's number one killer, cardiovascular disease? If you discuss your concerns with a doctor who doesn't practice nutrition based medicine, odds are you will leave the doc's office with a prescription of a statin drug to help lower your cholesterol level.

With names like Lipitor, Zocor and Crestor, these medications are a huge $13 billion business in the U.S. where they are prescribed for some 13 million of us. Not only are these expensive drugs to buy but you can pay an enormous price with your health when you take them. Statins come with a list of potentially serious side effects, from memory problems and liver and kidney damage to severe muscle aches, gastrointestinal pain and sleep disorders.

However, there's an extraordinarily inexpensive, well-documented, natural and safe way to lower cholesterol –- take niacin, also known as vitamin B3. A new study published in the June, 2008 issue of the Journal of Lipid Research provides a clearer picture of how this B vitamin helps maintain optimal HDL (the "good") cholesterol levels, lowering the risk of heart disease.

A research team headed by Dr. Moti L. Kashyap of the Veterans Administration Healthcare System's Atherosclerosis Research Center in Long Beach, California has found the likely target of niacin in the liver, which should provide a clearer picture of how this vitamin helps maintain adequate HDL-cholesterol levels in the blood and thus lower the risk of heart disease.

Long known to increase plasma HDL levels, just how niacin works has been unknown until now. Dr. Kashyap and colleagues found niacin hinders the liver from removing HDL from the blood, boosting high plasma HDL levels. However, niacin does not affect another major pathway known as "Reverse Cholesterol Transport" so it facilitates the removal of other "bad", i.e. artery clogging, types of cholesterol from the bloodstream. That, the researchers conclude, explains why niacin is especially beneficial.

According to Gerald Gau, M.D., a Mayo Clinic preventive cardiologist who has served on the National Cholesterol Education Program Coordinating Committee, niacin can raise "good" cholesterol by a whopping 15 percent to 35 percent. On the Mayo Clinic niacin web page, (www.mayoclinic.com/health/niacin/CL...) , the vitamin is called the most effective "drug" available for raising HDL. It also lowers levels of LDL (low density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides –- significant risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Primary food sources of niacin include dairy products, lean meats, poultry, fish, nuts, eggs and many breads and cereals. Niacin is also available in a variety of different forms of supplements. Very high doses -- 1,000 milligrams or more -- can cause temporary flushing of the skin. On the Mayo Clinic web site, Dr. Gau states that while annoying, this flushing is not harmful and taking an aspirin shortly before you take your niacin can counteract this flushing effect.

Low Vitamin D Intake Boosts Heart Attack, Stroke Risk by 60 Percent

2009-11-12T12:40:00.000+07:00

Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events, according to a study conducted by researchers at the Harvard Medical School and published in the American Heart Association's journal Circulation.

Researchers followed 1,739 people for five years, assessing their vitamin D levels by means of regular blood tests. The average age of participants was 59. All participants were white, had no prior history of cardiovascular disease, and were the children of the original participants in the multigenerational Framingham Heart Study.

Participants with low levels of vitamin D had a 60 percent higher chance of experiencing a cardiovascular event, including heart attack, heart failure or stroke, during the study period than participants with high blood levels. The correlation remained even after researchers adjusted for other risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Those who had both vitamin D deficiency and high blood pressure had twice the risk of cardiovascular events as those who had vitamin D deficiency alone.

"There is a growing body of experimental literature suggesting that vitamin D may have some actions on the heart and major blood levels," said lead researcher Thomas Wang. "As a corollary, the lack of vitamin D may be associated with the development of cardiac abnormalities."

The connection between Vitamin D and bone health is well-established, due to the vitamin's role in helping the body absorb calcium. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a bone softening disorder in children known as rickets, and can increase adults' risk of osteoporosis. More recent research has also suggested that high vitamin D intake may also protect against certain cancers and the neurodegenerative disease multiple sclerosis.

The body naturally produces vitamin D upon exposure to sunlight. Health professionals recommend that light-skinned people get 10 to 15 minutes of sunshine exposure at least three times per week, and that darker skinned people get up to twice that amount.

How To Manage Panic Attacks And Anxiety

2009-10-25T10:00:00.000+07:00

Panic attacks are a terrifying experiences for both the body and the mind. They can have severe impact on peoples' lives and are much more common than most people realize. It's very important to treat them. If left untreated, they can lead to many other problems like agoraphobia, anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse, and so on. It's vital to understand that there is help. Panic attacks can be controlled and even completely eliminated.
You won't find any magic pills that will get rid of them overnight. This is because panic attacks are a complex processes caused by many factors, internal and external. Genes, personality, stress, brain chemistry, and big life events just to name a few, all play a role.
The best way to deal with them is to try to understand them. The first thing you should know about them is that they cannot kill you. This is very important so I will repeat it: Panic attacks cannot kill you. Because of all the intense sensations people experience during a panic episode, many have trouble believing this. It is, however, true. A healthy person with no physical condition simply cannot die from a panic attack.
We are all equipped with an alarm system, a fight or flight response, that triggers powerful physical and emotional reactions when we feel threatened. There is nothing wrong with that, but if this system becomes too sensitive, then we have a problem.
It would be nice, if you could just shut off this alarm system, but that's just not how things work. There is, however, something else you can do. You can reprogram it. That is absolutely possible. With the right methods you can reset it so that it will work normally again.

This is How to Deal With Depression Effectively

2009-10-25T09:58:00.000+07:00

If you want to know how to deal with depression effectively, you are going to have to expand your mind. Getting your depression under control calls for thinking outside of the box. Dealing with depression can either be a success or an all-encompassing task. The only way to effectively get rid of the pain and agony you are currently undergoing is to get to the root of what is bothering you - naturally. There is so much more to knowing how to deal with depression than just popping pills. When you take medication, all you are doing is simply covering up your pain. The bad part is that taking pills doesn't even do a good job of covering up the pain. All it does is make things worse by causing you to develop dependency issues. A lot of people claim they aren't okay without their medication. It shouldn't be that way.
People who take medication are more likely to be nervous wrecks than those who do not simply because their lives are controlled by the time they have to take their next pill. That is no way to live. There is freedom from pills when you take control of your situation and decide to treat your illness naturally.
Would you really like to know how to deal with depression naturally? You are probably already familiar with some of the more common ways to handle it such as one-on-one therapy, group therapy, self-help books, a healthy diet, and exercise. Meditation and positive affirmations also go a long way. When you take small steps to enhance and change your lifestyle for the better, you come out on top and happier than before.
A person who has been sick with depression is sort of like a child who has lost their way. Knowing how to deal with depression when you are lost is never pleasant. Luckily, all you need is some guidance. When you are depressed, everything seems dark and scary. A lot of people don't get out of bed unless there is something extremely important they must do. Most people who are depressed feel they would be better off dead. You know that you are truly depressed if you experience sadness and despair in almost everything you do.
Dealing with depression doesn't have to take up a lot of your time or cost you a load of cash. If you really want to overcome your disease, you are going to have to take the natural route towards recovery and healing. There is a fight inside of your mind and body that begins as soon as you take chemical-based depression medication. Your body doesn't want it because it is naturally made to fight off all of the chemicals.
Dealing with depression naturally is a skill that can be obtained within only a few minutes. All you have to do is know that you are depressed. Next, all you have to do is research some information on some of the most popular natural remedies to help you while dealing with your symptoms in other natural ways.
You might decide to go with St. John's Wort, Passion Flower, or 5-HTP. While you are researching various natural remedies, you might find something complete different that you prefer. But rest assured that most natural remedies are completely safe. As long as you are comfortable with your choice, that is all that matters. Learning how to deal with depression is easy, it's living with it that is hard.

Anxiety Disorders caused by ADD and ADHD?

2009-10-25T09:56:00.000+07:00

As I got older and grew into an adult, terms like "Adult ADD or ADHD" became buzzwords on television and magazine advertising. I had certainly convinced myself that that must be EXACTLY what I had!!!
My entire life I have had difficulty paying attention. In school, I would often stare at the clock or around the classroom trying to find things that were more interesting that what the teacher was lecturing about. It wasn't too difficult, as I've always found school to be incredibly boring.
How many times have I been in meetings for work, and a superior will say, "So, what do you think about this?" And I would jump out of my own little world and be like, "Huh? Could you repeat the question please?" This would of course embarrass the hell out of me and would shock me into giving extra effort into paying attention, which only lasted until I once again became distracted.
It wasn't until later on when I really started putting two and two together. I began to notice that the days that I felt incredibly anxious or panicky, everything people would try to explain to me would go in one ear and out the other. Anxiety seems to give a person extremely selective hearing. It seems that with anxiety, the only thing I seemed to be able to focus on were things that I was naturally very interested in. Such things did NOT include school lectures and office politics!!
Then I found the program that cures panic and anxiety. It made me realize that anxiety will completely cloud your logical thinking with emotion. Fear is a very potent emotion. When one is consumed by it, all logic and common sense is thrown out the window. It is extremely difficult to focus on anything of importance when your minds is clouded by anxiety or panic.
So as my anxiety died down more and more every week, my sense of focus returned. What I had been calling, "brain fog", slowly dissipated. (I had orginally thought that perhaps this "brain fog" had been the result of smoking and anxiety. But the effects of smoking on my attention span were short lived.) I started to experience a sense of clarity that I hadn't felt since I was a teenage, when I was focused on my favorite video games. It was then I understood the relationship between the symptoms of ADD and ADHD and anxiety.

Do Hyperventilation Symptoms show lack of self confidence?

2009-10-25T09:54:00.000+07:00

The most commonly reported symptoms of hyperventilation are shortness of breath, numb hands and feet, racing hands, tingling of extremities, chest pains, dizziness, weakness, feelings of being about to faint, and blurred vision.
While there are actual and legitimate causes of hyperventilation such as lung disease or asthma, the majority of causes are simply due to anxiety and/or panic. If you have no prior history or lung disease or asthma, then anxiety is more than likely causing your hyperventilation symptoms here, but get it checked out by your family practitioner to be on the safe side.
Anxiety produced hyperventilation can be extremely terrifying for those who not aware of their anxiety. It can happen because of agoraphobia, work anxiety, hypochondria, or the result of any type of panic attack. In most instances, the sufferer of anxiety subconsciously believes they have little to no control of the bodily functions. They are overly critical with themselves in regards to how they handle the comings and goings in their life. Subconsciously they think, "If I can't control my family or career, maybe I can't even control my breathing, the simplest of body functions!" Truth be told, you are not meant to control breathing (unless diving underwater), it is involuntary so you can focus on life.
This is when they begin to over-think their breathing, which for most people is something they don't think about, being as automatic as it is. Panic starts to set in as they begin to believe in the back of their mind they are not breathing correctly. To compensate, they start breathing deeper and more frequently. This is obviously not a correct breathing method. The added oxygen in their blood combined with the lack of carbon dioxide leads to the hyperventilation symptoms described above, mainly the dizziness and tingling of hands and face.
These hyperventilation symptoms have the effect of a positive feedback mechanism: the person becomes afraid of these symptoms and perceives them as strange bodily sensations, something to be feared. At this point the person begins to believe they are about to have a panic attack. The fight or flight system kicks in. Adrenaline starts to rush through the bloodstream. The person is so afraid at this point, that the panic is confirming their belief of incorrect breathing. They will compensate further by breathing deeper and quicker....etc.
Fortunately, there is a method for anxiety and panic that deals with the causes of anxiety and it's nasty symptoms such as hyperventilation, dizziness, nausea, and stomach aches. There is no need for a person to suffer because of such ridiculous self-talk.

Deep Brain Stimulation: Advancement in Neurology

2009-10-25T09:52:00.000+07:00

When the FDA had approved the use of deep brain stimulation for people suffering serious neurological disorders, hope has been brought to many people who have been suffering unwanted movement disorder that leaves them uncontrollably shaking, twitching, or suffering tremors that worsen by the year. Patients suffering Parkinson's Disease, Dystonia, epilepsy, tremors, multiple sclerosis, and even obsessive compulsive disorder can now be evaluated as possible candidates for a DBS or deep brain stimulation. Although not all patients are eligible for this procedure, it must be noted that a person's mental and physical state is taken into careful consideration before anything is done. Even those who have suffered an adverse side effect from certain medications that can trigger tremors can be candidates for this procedure, which is typically assessed by experts in the field of neurology.
The truth is, there are still many mysteries when it comes to the area of the human brain and the central nervous system. In deep brain stimulation, a small electrode will be implanted in certain areas of your brain, making it deliver short electrical pulses. These pulses alter your brain's activity which is responsible for all those movements. What happens then is that a surgery will take place to implant the device. By switching on these electrical stimulation, it helps lessen your muscle spasms and aids you in taking control of your movement. You still had the same incurable disease, although this time, it is more manageable.
Sadly, for those who suffer dystonia, they may have to wait for more years until studies are made final and that deep brain stimulation will be considered safe for all sufferers of this rare neurological disorder. Deep brain stimulation is also synonymous with neuromodulation and some insurance firms pay for this type of treatment. Unlike prescription pills, these medical device will live inside your body as long as you live. These machines may spark controversies, as researchers are creating more solutions to the toughest challenges in today's health and well-being.
Deep brain stimulation can offer a lot of benefits for those who can avail of this type of treatment. Although the idea of having holes drilled in your head and having electrodes attached may seem to be grotesque, the promise of pain relief is enough reason for someone to have this procedure done. The electrodes may not be in direct contact and location, but it can help electrical impulses track changes over time. Just make sure a licensed professional will do this procedure, to avoid making another trip to the surgery room. For now, if you haven't suffered any movement disorder, consider yourself lucky. Make sure you choose healthy and stay active to get the most out of your true health - the natural way!

Panic Attack Disorder and Panic Attacks

2009-10-25T09:49:00.000+07:00

Panic attack disorder is a mental condition whereby someone suffers through unexpected and recurring panic attacks and continually worries that more attacks will follow. Changes can happen in one's behavior, like not going anywhere near the place of their previous attack.

Panic attacks, themselves, are an unexpected onset of extreme fear and worry that comes on quickly and for seemingly no reason whatsoever. It is not uncommon, however, for the first attack to be fueled by some stressful event like death or dealing with some other situation that is going to be difficult to handle.

Panic attacks have physical symptoms that can be frightening, however, they are not life-threatening. These symptoms may include difficulty in breathing or hyperventilation, heart pounding wildly, feeling dizzy, faint or lightheaded, numbness or tingling in the hands, shaking, trembling, sweating, feel like you're choking, nausea, discomfort or pain in the chest, hot flashes, cold flashes and the feeling that things are not real.

These physical symptoms increase a person's fear and make them feel as if they are about to die or that they are going insane or about to go out of control. These fears continue well after the attack subsides as the person now looks for bodily signs that another attack is coming. This additional anxiety and fear of future attacks makes the person more susceptible to additional attacks.

Making the problem worse is avoidance. Although the first panic attacks seem to happen randomly, people start to link their attacks to other people or specific events and places where the attacks took place. Over time this leads to phobic avoidance whereby you start staying away from certain environments or situations because you think that is what caused your attack. But when a person's lifestyle is disrupted by their avoidance behavior they may have developed panic attack disorder with agoraphobia.

The treatment for panic attack disorder is typically behavioral therapy. Medication may also be prescribed to help relieve the physical and emotional symptoms of the attack or they may even eliminate attacks completely. It is prudent to begin treatment of panic attack disorder as soon as possible as this condition can often lead to depression and alcohol or drug abuse.

To find out more information about panic attack disorder, along with treatment options, visit http://www.anxietycuresite.com/panic-attack-disorder/.

Spam Filters For Your Brain

2009-10-24T13:07:00.000+07:00

Spam Filters For Your Brain

Your brain is being spammed by 3,000 ads and commercial messages per day. Now you can actually filter out annoying, manipulative messages with the revolutionary brain defense technology revealed in this guide.

The Five Soft Drink Monsters: how to kick the soft drink addiction for good

2009-10-24T13:06:00.001+07:00

The Five Soft Drink Monsters: how to kick the soft drink addiction for good

This downloadable ebooks reveals how to easily and permanently break the soft drink habit for good. This guide will show you, in clear understandable terms, how to recognize each of the five addictive elements of soft drinks -- and then beat them with a clever strategy that's already worked for thousands.

The Food Timing Diet

2009-10-24T13:02:00.000+07:00

The Food Timing Diet

Revealed: The Mike Adams secret to shedding body fat, experiencing phenomenal mental and physical energy and eliminating blood sugar swings -- all while eating enormous quantities of health-enhancing (and delicious!) food. Learn why it's not WHAT you eat as much as WHEN you eat!

The Five Habits of Health Transformation

2009-10-24T12:59:00.000+07:00

The Five Habits of Health Transformation

Explores the five most effective, yet effortless strategies for transforming human health. Written for busy people and based on research involving 763 participants, this book reveals which health strategies deliver the most results with the least investment in time, money or effort.

Superfoods For Optimum Health: Chlorella and Spirulina

2009-10-24T12:57:00.000+07:00

Superfoods For Optimum Health: Chlorella and Spirulina

In this free online book, you'll get the astounding truth on how these two superfoods are far more than just "supplements" like vitamins and minerals: they are disease preventing foods from nature that can actually help conquer cancer, diabetes, heart disease, clinical depression, and much more.

The Seven Laws of Nutrition

2009-10-24T12:54:00.000+07:00

The Seven Laws of Nutrition

Learn how to transform your health, reverse chronic disease and free yourself from pharmaceuticals by mastering the fundamental laws of nutrition.

The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D

2009-10-24T12:51:00.000+07:00

The Healing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D: an exclusive interview with Dr. Michael Holick

In this interview, Dr. Holick reveals fascinating facts on how vitamin D is created and used in the human body to ward off chronic diseases like cancer, osteoporosis, mental disorders and more.

Grocery Warning

2009-10-24T12:44:00.000+07:00

Grocery Warning

How to recognize and avoid the common foods (and food ingredients) that cause disease. Names all the exact ingredients that directly cause heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, depression, osteoporosis, arthritis, high blood pressure, ADHD, behavioral disorders, mood swings and many more.

Contact

2009-10-22T23:30:00.011+07:00

Contact Information

Website : Stop Heart Attack

URL : http://drsupriyacard.blogspot.com

Mailing Address : Dr Supriya Sarkar
Room No D/1, DMCH Dormitory
Chankharpul, Dhaka
Dhaka - 1000
BANGLADESH
Mobile No : +8801722367983
E-mail Address : drbabuii@gmail.com

About

2009-10-22T23:29:00.008+07:00

Welcome Everybody!

I am Dr. Supriya Sarkar working as Indoor Medical Officer in Dept. of Cardiology,
Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Cardiovascular diseases specially Heart Attacks is rapidly becoming the leading cause of death in the world. It is mostly fatal and debilitating. If a patient survives, he has to endure extensive treatment and different modalities throughout his life.

We would discuss various aspects of cardiovascular diseases regularly.

Readers are encouraged to participate and ask me any question. I will be available always and gladly keep you informed about latest improvement in the field.

You may ask for consultation for any of your cardiovascular problems 24/7. Just call me +8801722367983 or mail me drbabuii@gmail.com

Eargerly waiting for your response.

Dr. Supriya Sarkar MBBS, MBA
Post graduate trainee and Indoor Medical Officer
Dept. of Cardiology
Dhaka Medical College,
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Help

2009-10-22T23:28:00.009+07:00

Help Topics

Where can I get information about this blog site ?
--->You must click on "About" option [See in the image below]

How can I get contact information in this site ?
---> Just Click on "Contact" option in this blog site. [See in the image below]

Here you can find important information about various topics in this site :

[ 01 ] How can I search in the web using google web search engine in this site ?

---> At the top of this site you can find a search box named "Google Web Search [Search Here]". Type keyword in the search box & then click on "Search" button. [See This Image]

[ 02 ] How can I get different posts on different topics ?
---> At the right top corner you can find a category list which has a title "Categories". Then you select a category by clicking on that. After click then you can view various topics related to that selected category. [ See This Image ]

[ 03 ] How can I search in this blog site using google search engine ?

---> At the right middle of this site you can find a search box named "Search This Blog". Type keyword in the search box & then click on "Search" button. [See This Image]

[ 04 ] What is "Blog Archive" ?
---> Blogger "archives" are additional web pages that contain all of this site's older posts. All of this site's blog posts are stored in a database even if archiving is not enabled. [See This Image]

Study Finds Chinese Red Yeast Rice Good for Your Heart

2009-10-15T12:49:00.000+07:00

A clinical study on patients who have suffered a heart attack found that a partially purified extract of Chinese red yeast rice, Xuezhikang (XZK), reduced the risk of repeat heart attacks by 45%; revascularization (bypass surgery/angioplasty), cardiovascular mortality, and total mortality by one-third; and cancer mortality by two-thirds.

The multi-center, randomized, double-blind study, was conducted on almost 5,000 patients, ranging in age from 18-70 over a five-year period at over 60 hospitals in the People's Republic of China. Corresponding author David M. Capuzzi, M.D., Ph.D, director of the Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program at Jefferson's Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine and Zonliang Lu, M.D., Ph.D, from the Fuwai Hospital at the Chinese Academy of Medical Science report their findings in the June 15th edition of the American Journal of Cardiology.

"It's very exciting because this is a natural product and had very few adverse side effects including no abnormal blood changes," said Capuzzi. "People in the Far East have been taking Chinese red yeast rice as food for thousands of years, but no one has ever studied it clinically in a double-blind manner with a purified product against a placebo group until now and we are pleased with the results. However, people in the United States should know that the commercially available over-the-counter supplement found in your average health food store is not what was studied here. Those over-the-counter supplements are not regulated, so exact amounts of active ingredient are unknown and their efficacy has not been studied yet."

The study looked at patients who had suffered a heart attack in the previous year. Study participants were given two 300-milligram XZK capsules or a placebo and tracked over a five-year period. The XZK capsules contained a combination of lovastatin, lovastatin hydroxyl acid, ergosterol and other components.

"I think it is surprising that a natural product like XZK would have this great an effect," said Capuzzi. "If further testing and study prove true, my hope is that XZK becomes an important therapeutic agent to treat cardiovascular disorders and in the prevention of disease whether someone has had a heart attack or not. But it is important to recognize the fact we do not know exactly how Chinese red yeast rice works. The exact ingredients from the XZK capsules have not been isolated and studied yet. Still the results were so profound, even out performing statins prescribed in numerous western populations, that further study should certainly be investigated."

The study was sponsored by Beijing Peking University WBL Biotech Co. Ltd (WPU), in Beijing, People's Republic of China. Dr. Capuzzi has no financial interest in this company.

Vegan Diet Reduces Risk of Arthritis, Heart Attack and Stroke

2009-10-15T12:48:00.000+07:00

Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, have published a study in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy showing that eating a vegan, gluten-free diet may reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in rheumatoid arthritis patients, as well as reducing the severity of the disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is considered a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

The researchers studied 66 adults with rheumatoid arthritis, averaging 50 years in age. Thirty-eight of the adults were placed on a vegan, gluten-free diet in which carbohydrates provided 60 percent of daily calories, fat provided 30 percent and protein provided 10 percent.

A vegan diet is one free of any animal products, including flesh, dairy and eggs. In addition to omitting animal products, the study participants also eschewed gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, oats and rye.

Instead, participants in the vegan, gluten-free group began with a one-day, low-energy diet of berry juice and broth. Starting on the second day, they were fed grains such as buckwheat, corn, millet and rice, as well as ample quantities of nuts, sunflower seeds, vegetables and fruits. Calcium was provided with a daily serving of sesame milk.

The 28 participants in the control group were fed a diet including both animal products and gluten with a similar carbohydrate-fat-protein breakdown to the vegan diet. They were encouraged to eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day and to eat complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains and potatoes, over simpler sources.

In both diets, saturated fat was kept to a maximum of 10 percent of daily energy intake.

After three and 12 months, the researchers measured several biomarkers in all the participants. Only 58 percent of the people in the vegan, gluten-free group completed the study.

The researchers found that participants in the vegan group experienced a drop in their body mass index, total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol. Triglyceride and HDL ("good") cholesterol levels did not change. There was also an increase in the levels of antiPC antibodies, which are believed to help protect the body against cardiovascular disease.

None of these markers changed in the control group.

"These findings are compatible with previous results of vegetarian/vegan dietary regimens in non-rheumatoid arthritis subjects, which have shown lower blood pressure, lower body mass index and lower incidence of cardiovascular disease," the researchers said.

High LDL and total cholesterol, as well as higher body mass index, are all risk factors for heart attack and stroke.

In addition, the researchers found that levels of the inflammation marker CRP and the number of swollen joints decreased in those on the vegan, gluten-free diet. There was no change in those on the control diet.

In contrast to the more common osteoarthritis, which is caused by damage to the cartilage and lubricating fluid in the joints, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder caused when the body's immune system attacks its own tissue. In addition to the pain and restricted movement caused by the destruction of joints, the inflammation caused by the immune system's attacks increases patients' risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Heart Attack Victim Hounded for $5 Health Insurance Co-Pay While Laying on Gurney

2009-10-15T12:46:00.000+07:00

A New York woman who had suffered a heart attack and was being transported to an ambulance on a gurney was stopped by a receptionist who demanded that she pay her $5 co-pay before heading out the door.

"You can't even get a book of stamps for that price. I was outraged," said 76-year-old Barbara Antonelli. "It was the most heartless, unthinkable thing to do. They were putting money on top of a person's life."

On Jan. 14, Antonelli visited her doctor at the Staten Island Physician Practice (SIPP) for a checkup, because she had suffered from chest pains the day before and wanted to find out if she was all right. After performing tests, Dr. Jonathan Okum informed her that she had suffered a heart attack. He called an ambulance so that she could be taken to the hospital for more tests. Antonelli was placed on a gurney, with breathing tubes in her nose and wheeled out of the office.

When a receptionist came running up to her, Antonelli said she assumed she had left something behind. Instead, the receptionist asked her for her $5 co-pay, and would not let the gurney leave until Antonelli had paid.

"This was an emergency," Antonelli said, "and they asked for a lousy $5. They could have billed me. I never thought they would have the audacity to ask."

SIPP Associate Medical Director Dr. Jack D'Angelo said that the "ugly" incident was the result of a mistake by an employee and not of SIPP policy.

"This is not an issue of policy, it was an issue of poor judgment by the receptionist," he said. "We will take the appropriate steps to assist this employee and the remainder of our staff to learn from this event and assure that all of our patients are treated like we would like our parents to be treated."

Antonelli said she would not be switching doctors, since Okum was not involved in the incident and knew nothing about it.

Home Defibrillators Found Medically Useless in Saving Lives

2009-10-15T12:43:00.000+07:00

Expensive home defibrillator machines do not improve heart attack patients' chances of survival, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Seattle Institute for Cardiac Research, presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Chicago and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Researchers followed 7,001 heart attack survivors for 37 months, placing defibrillators into the homes of half of them and instructing the other half to call 911 or other emergency medical assistance if they experienced another heart attack. None of the participants had been considered suitable for implantation with defibrillators.

Defibrillators are devices that use an electrical current to restart a failing heart. The home defibrillators used in the study were identical to those found in many public locations.

Overall, only 450 of the heart attack patients had died after 37 months. The survival rate among the defibrillator group was not significantly different than the rate among the other group.

"It really amazed me that the survival prospects for this group were so promising," said lead researcher Gust H. Bardy. "A 2 percent-a-year death rate for 60-year-old patients, that surprises me."

Bardy noted that the defibrillators did not fail to work as advertised; they simply did not end up being needed most of the time.

"It's not that the devices are ineffective," he said. "When they were used, they did real well."

The devices were used only 18 times, and in six cases were successful in saving the patient's life.

In an accompanying editorial, David J. Callans of the University of Pennsylvania said that home use of defibrillators should not be encouraged, largely due to the fact that they are so expensive.

"Future efforts should turn toward education, modification of risk factors and other methods for primary prevention of heart disease," he said.

How to Have a Heart Attack: Keep Eating the Western Diet

2009-10-15T12:41:00.000+07:00

A multi-national study just published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association concludes about 30 percent of heart attack risk comes from one thing - diet.

Is it your family history? Your age? Just plain bad luck?

No. Instead, according to the research, the cause is something people in 52 countries are doing to themselves -- eating the so-called typical Western diet loaded with fried foods, meat and salty junk food snacks.

However, the scientists found that when people's diets included a high intake of fruits and vegetables -- he same eating strategy natural health advocates have been urging for decades -- heart attack risk plummeted.

"The objective of this study was to understand the modifiable risk factors of heart attacks at a global level," Salim Yusuf, D.Phil., the study's senior author, said in a statement to the media.

The study also looked at the unique dietary pattern the scientists dubbed "Oriental" that contains a lot of soy and salt laden sauces. They found the "Oriental" diet did not raise the risk of heart attack but didn't lower it, either. In fact, it was only the eating style the research team labeled the "Prudent" diet -- the one loaded with fruits and veggies -- that dramatically decreased heart attack risk.

Dr. Yusuf's team used data from the INTERHEART study and analyzed 5,761 heart attack cases and compared them to 10,646 controls who had no known heart disease. A dietary risk score questionnaire was used to interview and document the eating habits of the heart attack patients. "A simple dietary score, which included both good and bad foods with the higher score indicating a worse diet, showed that 30 percent of the risk of heart disease in a population could be related to poor diet," Romania Iqbal, Ph.D., Dr. Yusuf's co-researcher, explained in a press statement.

After adjusting for known cardiovascular risk factors, the scientists found:
• People who consumed more fruits and vegetables had a 30 percent lower risk of heart attack compared to people who ate few or no fruits and vegetables.
• People who ate a typical Western diet, no matter what part of the world they lived in, had a 35 percent greater risk of having a heart attack compared to people who consumed little or no fried foods and meat.

This shows an unhealthy dietary intake marked by meat, fried and salty foods and not enough fruits and vegetables accounts for nearly one-third of the world population's attributable risk for heart attack, Dr. Yusuf, Director of the Population Health Research Institute at Hamilton Health Sciences in Ontario, Canada,explained in a prepared statement.

Bottom line: Imagine the billions of dollars drug companies would make off of a medication that could slash the risk of heart attack by almost a third. Instead of waiting for such a "miracle drug", mindful eating of micronutrient, vitamin, mineral, fiber rich and delicious fruits and vegetables makes more sense – and following this style of healthy eating can help reduce the risk of a host of other diseases too, from diabetes to cancer.

Air Pollution Has Negative Effects on Heart Health

2009-10-15T12:39:00.000+07:00

It would be natural to think that microscopic particles in polluted air would do damage to one's lungs, nose and throat. However, recent research published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association has reported that such particles can in fact negatively affect the ability of the heart in people with serious coronary artery disease to conduct electrical signals.

Details of Study

The study looked at 48 coronary artery disease patients who lived in the Boston area, all of whom had previously experienced hospital procedures to open up or examine their coronary arteries.

The group of them had been hospitalized because of deteriorating symptoms of stable coronary artery disease, unstable angina, or a heart attack. Their median age was 57 years and more than 80% were men. In addition, 1 out of 4 had diabetes, while 2 out of every 5 had had a heart attack.

The study team followed up with the patients about two to four weeks post-discharge, and then another three more times at interval periods of about 3-months.

Holter monitors, which are portable electrocardiographs, were used to record the participants' heart activity and to help obtain indications of events such as lack of blood flow to the heart or a heart muscle which was inflamed. Should such situations present themselves, a conductivity change, called an "ST-segment depression", would show up on electrocardiograms.

These measurements were then compared with the levels of certain pollutants, including particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 micrometers (or 1/10,000th of an inch), also called PM2.5, and black carbon, which is produced during the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels.

For all the pollutants which were included in the analysis, mean 24-hour levels were within the National Air Quality Standard limits. This meant that air quality was generally considered healthy.

Findings of Study

"We found that an elevation in fine particles, from non-traffic as well as traffic sources, and black carbon, a marker for traffic, predicted ST-segment depression," said Diane R. Gold, M.D., M.P.H., senior author of the study, which involved researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health and the Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass.

"Effects were greatest within the first month after hospitalization, and for patients who were hospitalized for a heart attack or had diabetes," added Gold.

Another pollutant associated with ST-segment depression was sulfur dioxide, which can also originate from non-traffic sources. There was no significant correlation obtained between ST-segment depression and the levels of carbon monoxide, although it should be noted that levels of the latter were generally low for this study.

Broadly speaking, these findings are consistent with previous studies, which have shown the link between increased particulate air pollution and risk of heart attack or cardiac death, as well as exposure to road traffic triggering off heart attacks. For example, in a study published in 2002, it was reported that cardiovascular deaths decreased by 10 percent in Dublin, Ireland, after coal sales were banned and concentrations of black smoke in the air dropped by 70 percent within the next 3 years.

While the ST-segment changes which the study team observed were not associated with actual physical symptoms in the subjects, nevertheless, their findings provide further evidence that unclean air can affect heart health, either through reduction of blood flow or heart muscle inflammation.

Key Takeaway

While the question remains as to how air pollution causes ST-segment depression – Gold said that "further research is needed to evaluate whether the pollution-related ST-segment depression that we see is related to increased heart muscle inflammation, reduced oxygen flow, oxidative stress, or increased risk of arrhythmias" – enough is probably known for now for those at risk to take some action.

"We think that our findings, which are definitely subclinical, may represent a process that increases clinical risk for people with symptomatic coronary artery disease," Gold said. The research team also said that their findings suggest that physicians and heart patients be extra careful in the weeks immediately after discharge from hospital.

If you or a loved one has heart problems, then you may want to take note.

The American Heart Association recommends that some heart patients, especially those who have had a heart attack, do not drive for two to weeks after being discharged and also avoid driving in heavy traffic because of the stress such a situation creates.

"Our study provides additional rationale to avoid or reduce heavy traffic exposure after discharge, even for those without a heart attack, since traffic exposure involves pollution exposure as well as stress," said Gold.

Certain additional precautionary steps may also be useful, such as making sure one is not exposed to other forms of air pollution, for example construction sites, and the use of air purifiers to improve the quality of air in the home.

Main Sources

Air Pollution Can Hinder Heart's Electrical Functioning (http://www.sciencedaily.com/release...)

Excess Calcium Intake Can Raise Your Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

2009-10-15T12:37:00.000+07:00

Are postmenopausal women putting themselves at increased risk for cardiovascular disease and hip fractures by consuming excessive calcium? That is a question that two recent studies shed light on, one published January 2008 in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and one published in the December issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN).

The British Medical Journal published the results of a University of Auckland, New Zealand study designed to assess the effects of calcium supplements on healthy postmenopausal women's risk for cardiovascular events including heart attack, stroke and sudden death.

The randomized, placebo controlled trial involved 1,471 postmenopausal women with an average age of 74 years old and was conducted over a five year period.

732 women were randomized to take calcium citrate (Citrical) in a 400 mg dose before breakfast and a 600 mg dose in the evening for a total of 1000 mg per day of supplemental calcium. 739 women were randomized to take a placebo. The women were evaluated every 6 months.

21 women in the calcium treated group and 10 women in the placebo group experienced a heart attack, the most common CVD (cardiovascular disease) event found. The calcium treated group had a 47% higher incidence of heart attack, stroke or sudden death.

Researchers, headed by Dr. Ian Reid, concluded that "Calcium supplementation in healthy postmenopausal women is associated with upward trends in cardiovascular event rates. This potentially detrimental effect should be balanced against the likely benefits of calcium on bone".

Dr. Reid noted that the study "does not unequivocally show an adverse cardiovascular effect of calcium but suggests that this matter needs to be considered carefully before calcium supplementation can be broadly advocated".

The AJCN published the results of a meta analysis study conducted at University Hospital Zurich that, according to Professor Heike Bischoff-Ferrari, found no protective association between hip fractures and intake of calcium over 555 mg per day.

Researchers reviewed randomized controlled studies involving over 5600 women 58 years old or older and found, according to a Reuters report that "calcium supplementation may increase the risk for hip fracture by 64%".

Professor Bischoff-Ferrari suggested that current recommendations for calcium may be too high and recommendations for vitamin D too low.

The current calcium AI (adequate intake) for American males and females:

Age:AI for calcium:
1-3 years500 mg
4-8800
9-131300
14-181300
19-501000
51 >1200

Adequate intake is a recommendation that is made by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences (FNB/IOM/NAS). An AI recommendation is made when board members don't believe that there is enough scientific evidence to establish a RDA (recommended dietary allowance) for a specific nutrient.

According to the academic text Understanding Nutrition "An AI must rely more heavily on scientific judgments because sufficient evidence is lacking. An AI is expected to exceed average requirements. AIs are more tentative than RDA".

Current calcium recommendations are based on "balance studies" which measure the point at which calcium intake equals calcium excretion. Research suggests that this balance occurs at approximately 550 mg.

The FNB/IOM has established the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for calcium at 2500 mg daily for all age groups.

The FNB/IOM is reassessing the AI for vitamin D and most likely will increase recommendations when they conclude their review, which could take several years. Is it time for the FNB/IOM to reassess recommendations for calcium intake too?

Have you heard about the Calcium Paradox?

The World Health Organization says of the calcium paradox: "hip fracture rates are higher in developed countries where calcium intake is higher than in developing countries where calcium intake is lower (and this) clearly calls for an explanation". Yes it does.

According to a recent report from Harvard School of Public Health, the "average daily intake (of calcium) in countries such as India and Japan is as low as 300 mg and that fracture rates are low" in these countries.

According to the WHO "In countries with a high fracture incidence, a minimum of 400-500 mg of calcium intake is required to prevent osteoporosis. The interaction between calcium intake and physical activity, sun exposure, and intake of other dietary components (e.g. vitamin D, vitamin K, sodium, protein) and protective phytonutrients, needs to be considered before recommending increased calcium intake in countries with low fracture incidence in order to be in line with recommendations for industrialized countries".

In other words, in countries with low fracture rates and low incidence of fractures, recommendations for increased calcium intake are not appropriate.

In the mean time...how can you avoid excess calcium intake?

Assess your daily calcium intake from diet and supplements. Get out a piece of paper and add up your total daily calcium intake from foods and all nutritional supplements that you take. Learn the calcium content of the foods that you regularly eat. You can use the USDA Standard Reference data base to find the calcium content of hundreds of foods. You will find it at the following link: (http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodco...) .

Consider the following dietary sources of calcium:

* 1 cup milk 300 mg

* 1 cup calcium fortified orange juice300 mg

* 1 cup low fat yogurt345-400 mg

* 1 ounce cheddar cheese has about 204 mg

* 1 cup cottage cheese300 mg

* ½ cup cooked beans45-113 mg

* ½ cup cooked spinach115 mg

* ½ cup cooked broccoli 35 mg

You can see that two servings of yogurt, one of milk and one ounce of cheese contains about 1300 mg of calcium. If you add daily vegetable and bean sources of calcium and multiple vitamin mineral and calcium/vitamin D supplements you may well be exceeding the daily AIs for calcium and may also be exceeding the daily UL. Is calcium deficiency really as likely as we have been led to believe?

Millions of American women use calcium/vitamin D supplements like Bayer's Citrical™ and Wyeth's Caltrate™. Both of these pharmaceutical companies heavily promote their calcium supplements.
Dosage suggestions on these products range from 400 mg to over 1200mg a day. Your daily dietary intake of calcium is your best guideline for deciding if and how much supplemental calcium you may (or may not)need.

Since our food supply is increasingly fortified with calcium, don't forget to add calcium fortified food sources like fruit and vegetable juices, butter substitutes, cereals, and dry beverage mixes into your daily totals. According to the USDA nutrient database just one cup of General Mill's whole grain Total cereal contains 1000 mg of calcium, and that doesn't include the milk. Are people really aware of just how much calcium is in their daily diets?

Like other vital nutrients, optimal amounts of calcium promote health but excesses come with serious adverse side effects. Excess calcium puts us at increased risk for soft tissue calcification, atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke and, according to new evidence, increased risks for hip fractures.

How much calcium do we really require for bone health, cardiovascular health, overall health? That is becoming less clear, but well designed large scale studies are indicating that we may require much less than we have been led to believe.

Sources:

BMJ, 1/15/2008, Vascular events in healthy older women receiving calcium supplementation: randomised controlled trial (http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full...)

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No. 6, 1780-1790, December 2007, Calcium intake and hip fracture risk in men and women: a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials (http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abs...)

Understanding Nutrition, E. Whitney & S. Rolfes, Wadsworth, 2002, p. 14

Calcium content of commonly eaten foods:
UCLA: Calcium Content of Food (http://gotblood.ucla.edu/Documents/...)

Harvard School of Medicine:
(http://body.aol.com/learn-about-it/...)

Recommendations for preventing osteoporosis, World Health Organization
(http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics...)

Journal of Food Composition and Analysis
Volume 18, Issue 6, September 2005, Pages 595-598
Calcium fortification of food can add unneeded dietary phosphorus

Modern Medicine Hilariously Claims Credit for Reduction in Heart Disease Deaths

2009-10-15T12:35:00.000+07:00

The death rates for heart disease and stroke among U.S. citizens has dropped 30 percent between 1999 and 2006, reports the Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers are hailing the report as a major success in the effectiveness of conventional medicine. "It's one of the most remarkable achievements of modern medicine to have this kind of decline," said Dr. Gregg C. Fonarow, a cardiologist at UCLA's Geffen School of Medicine, in an LA Times report.

It sure is remarkable, all right. What's remarkable is that conventional medicine thinks it deserves the credit for this decline. Putting all those people on statin drugs, blood pressure drugs and other dangerous pharmaceuticals must be working, they conclude. The death rate is down, see?

But as you'll see below, they are once again engaged in circular logic and self-imposed blindness on the real causes behind this trend.

Two reasons why heart disease deaths are declining

What's the real explanation for the decline in heart disease and stroke deaths between 1999 and 2006? There are two, actually:

Reason #1 - Consumers are turning to natural medicine and healthier lifestyles. The use of natural medicine by the U.S. population has risen substantially over the last eight years, reaching a point where thirty-eight percent of the population now uses one or more "alternative" medicine modalities.

Consumers are turning away from pharmaceuticals in droves. The drug companies are already laying off employees by the thousands, and as the fraudulent science behind Big Pharma is coming to light, more and more consumers are shunning dangerous pharmaceuticals. Perhaps one-third of drug-taking consumers are now actively looking for ways to get off dangerous drugs, and that's contributing to the fall in the death rate from heart attacks and strokes (many pharmaceuticals actually cause heart attacks and strokes).

Meanwhile, thanks to the efforts of the natural health community, consumption of heart-protecting omega-3 oils skyrocketed from 1999 to 2008, and it continues to rise. These omega-3 oils help support heart health and work to prevent heart attacks. Over the last eight years, consumers have become increasingly informed of the benefits of fish oil, krill oil, olive oil, flaxseed oil and even other omega-3-rich oils that provide substantial cardiovascular protection.

And thanks to the efforts of many consumer groups and natural health publishers, consumers are now well aware of the dangers of trans fatty acids and partially-hydrogenated oils, so they're actively reducing their consumption of these dangerous substances. That reduction is no doubt contributing strongly to the reduction in the death rate by heart attacks and strokes.

Consumers are now eating more whole grains, more oily fish, more raw foods and more heart-healthy nutritional supplements like CoQ10 and resveratrol. They're also eating fewer fried foods, fewer refined sugars and fewer processed meats. All of these contribute strongly to the reduction in the death rate.

A Severe Heart Attack Found More Deadly for Women

2009-10-15T12:33:00.002+07:00

Women who suffer a severe heart attack are less likely to survive the first 24 hours in the hospital than men are, according to a new study appearing currently in the medical journal Circulation published by the American Heart Association. There are several factors that combine to make a heart attack more likely to be a fatal event for women. More than 78,000 patients admitted to 420 hospitals between the years 2001 and 2006 were included in the study. Hospitals gathered the data using a tool to track patient care.

Researchers found no gender gap in deaths for all heart attacks after adjusting for differences in risk factors and age. However, they did find that women who suffered a heart attack known as an "ST-elevation myocardial infarction," (STEMI) had a 12 percent higher risk of dying in the hospital than men. With this type of heart attack, immediate treatment to open the artery is important.
There have been other studies that have concluded that women are less likely to survive heart attacks than men. Experts have disagreed about the reasons, however.

Some studies have concluded that women are not diagnosed as promptly or treated as aggressively as men. Another possibility is that women develop heart disease at an older age than men. Because of this, female patients are more likely to suffer other complications such as diabetes or lung disease in conjunction with heart disease. These complications often complicate the illness and result in death.

Another factor is that women tend to experience confusing heart attack symptoms. This includes symptoms like unexplained fatigue instead of the classic symptom of crushing chest pain. This makes it more difficult to diagnose and more difficult to decide to seek medical help. Time is of the essence in this situation and waiting may be a costly mistake.

The researchers in the study found that women were 14 percent less likely than men to be prescribed medication. Women were also 22 percent less likely to receive reperfusion therapy within 30 minutes of arrival. This treatment restores blood flow to the heart and is a recommended protocol. Women were also 13 percent less likely to receive angioplasty within 90 minutes of arrival, according to the study.

On the positive side, the data shows an improvement in timely treatment for women since the 1990s. Care for all heart attack patients is improving. Previous studies discovered that less than one in ten patients were receiving angioplasty within 90 minutes and drug infusion within 30 minutes of arrival. Currently two-thirds are receiving these treatments.

Women need to be encouraged to be aware of symptoms and go to the hospital if they are experiencing heart attack symptoms. Don't delay and call 911 immediately.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/09/h...

Low Thyroid Increases Risk of Death from Heart Attack by Seventy Percent

2009-10-15T12:32:00.000+07:00

By taking natural thyroid hormone tablets to reduce the level of thyroid stimulating hormone to the low end of the normal range, men and women can reduce death from cardiovascular disease by 70 percent. This earthshaking finding far exceeds results from any drug intervention. The 70 percent is not a statistical manipulation based on relative numbers. It represents an absolute decrease in death.

It has become more apparent that hormonal health and balance is the bedrock of good health. When hormones are present in physiological amounts and in the balance that nature intended, the body is strong, resilient, and able to restore homeostasis in almost every situation. Yet the direct connection between coronary heart disease and thyroid hormone is only now being established.

Understanding thyroid stimulating hormone

Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) is made by the pituitary gland for the purpose of stimulating the thyroid gland to make thyroid hormone when it is needed by the body. The medical establishment regards TSH levels as the single most important test for determining thyroid function. If thyroid function is low, the message is sent to the pituitary to produce more TSH to stimulate the production of thyroid hormone. If the thyroid gland is already making plenty of hormone, there is no need for excessive production of TSH. So a high level of TSH indicates a lazy, poorly functioning thyroid that needs constant proding to do its job. A low level of TSH indicates the thyroid is doing its work just fine and doesn't need to be proded.

Findings from the Hunt Study

The Hunt Study is a population-based cohort study begun in 1984 and carried out at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway. It recruited participants from the local population of about 130,000 people. Since the entire Hunt Study involved the participation of more than 100,000 of these people, the results represent a complete and highly statistically significant cross section of almost an entire population.

This examination of Hunt Study findings, reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine, involved the prospective study of the associations between thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) in 17,311 women and 8002 men without known thyroid or cardiovascular disease or diabetes mellitus. All participants had "normal TSH" levels, meaning the TSH values were in the lab reference range of 0.5 to 3.5. The women were stratified into three groups reflecting lower TSH, intermediate TSH and upper TSH levels. Mortality from heart disease was recorded over an 8 year observation period.

Researchers found that the group with the highest TSH had a 70% increased mortality from heart disease compared to the lowest TSH group, even though all these TSH values were in the range considered to be normal.

Another report from the Hunt Study showed LDL cholesterol to be linearly associated with TSH level. As LDL cholesterol goes up, so does TSH.

What does the term 'normal range' really mean?

The normal range is not some preordained level at which healthy people necessarily reside. The term is defined and used by convention, and simply means the range for whatever test, condition, symptom, behavior, etc. that covers 95 percent of values derived from the general population. Think of it as a bell shaped curve. The normal range represents the upward slope, top and downward slope of the curve, the place where the majority of data resides. If the population used to create the data is composed of sick people, the normal range will be composed of sick people too.

When medical testing is done to determine whether persons falls in the 'normal range' for any given issue, they are most often compared to a group considered 'normal' for their age. As an example, post menopausal women being testing for sex hormone levels will be considered as normal if their values fall into the range where most other menopausal women reside. But clearly, post menopausal women do not in any way produce the amount of sex hormones that a woman in her twenties produces. Yet the woman in her twenties represents the healthy state of sex hormones, not the menopausal woman.

Findings clearly support the need for TSH values in the low end of the normal range

Heart attack is the most common cause of death in the U.S., so to be able to reduce the risk of heart attack by 70% has broad reaching implications. To put this in perspective, cholesterol lowering drugs only decrease heart attacks by 1.4 % in those without underlying heart disease. Based on the study findings, the most effective way to reduce death from heart disease and normalize lipoprotein levels is to reduce TSH to the lower end of the normal range. TSH in the upper end of the normal range is associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and elevated LDL measures.

Optimal thyroid levels offer many more benefits

Thyroid is the most important hormone in the body. Since it simulates cellular energy production, all other hormones will be impacted when thyroid hormone levels are not optimal. This results in every aspect of health being affected, including weight, mental outlook, body temperature, energy levels, and the quality of hair and skin. Symptoms of low thyroid hormone are unexplained weight gain, fatigue, dry skin, irregular or faint heartbeat, sleep apnea, high or low blood pressure, chronic pain, constipation, frequent infections, brittle nails, weak muscles, head congestion and sinus problems, joint pain, hoarseness, and more.

Low thyroid levels slow metabolism and energy production. This is why people with low thyroid hormone levels are always cold, constipated and gain weight without increasing the amount of food they eat. Low thyroid is why old people seem so listless and their simplest movement seems like such a chore. When thyroid levels get extremely low a person simply runs out of energy, like a car runs out of gas. Death soon follows. Nursing homes are filled with people whose thyroid hormone is almost exhausted.

Natural thyroid hormone is dirt cheap, makes you feel great, and is about 50 times more effective than Lipitor or Mevacor (toxic drugs which cost billions of dollars a year). Cardiovascular disease kills 2,800 Americans every day. Much of this is preventable using natural thyroid therapy. If thyroid medication were patentable it would cost a small fortune, and the drug companies would spend hundreds of millions of dollars to make sure every doctor knew the research and used their thyroid treatments.

But natural thyroid hormone is thyroid hormone from a pig. Pig hormone is bioidentical to the hormone produced by humans. It comes from Armour packing house, the company that also produces bacon and hot dogs from their pigs, and it is called Armour Thyroid. As it is a naturally occurring substance it cannot be patented, so there are no huge piles of money to be made. As a result, hundreds of thousands or even millions of Americans die unnecessarily because doctors remain ignorant about the importance of natural thyroid treatment in maintaining health.

As more and more Americans realize the dismal state of medicine in the country, they have made the decision of take charge of their own health. It is unfortunate that Armour thyroid is only available to them by prescription, because the ignorance of most doctors about optimal thyroid levels makes it very difficult to get a prescription.

Most physicians are reluctant to consider thyroid function at all. When they do, they will order a blood test and decide that if the results are in the 'normal range' even at the top end of this range, that's that. There will be no prescription. Yet, if you are a fifty year old woman, for instance, you are being compared with a group of fifty year olds who are notorious for having high levels of TSH because their thyroids are konking out.

If you can get your doctor to come around on the testing and actually agree to a prescription for you, it will most likely be for a synthetic hormone drug, Levoxyl and Synthroid being the most common. These substances are patented molecules that do not occur in nature. They will be recognized by the body as foreign, and the body will mount resistance to them, so that in time they will become ineffective. While all this is going on, your immune system will be compromised by having to deal with this foreign invader, and your liver will be spending its time trying to detoxify this toxic chemical and won't have time to do the job it was meant to do. Synthetic thyroid drugs are known to cause significant side effects, one of which is making you feel like your are ready to jump out of your skin.

The only way around this is to be assertive and firm with your doctor, making it clear that you want a prescription for natural thyroid that will take you to the low end of the 'normal range'. Make it clear that you will only accept natural substances into your body. If your doctor is unyielding, find another doctor.

If you are able to find a naturopath, homeopath or traditional physician that specializes in anti-aging medicine or hormone balance, you probably won't have any difficulty getting thyroid testing or a prescription for the proper amount of thyroid to allow you to attain TSH levels in the low range.

AIDS Drugs Boost Risk of Heart Attacks

2009-10-15T12:30:00.000+07:00

A widely used AIDS medication that was recently recommended as a preferred treatment may double a patient's risk of heart attacks in comparison to other AIDS drugs, according to a study conducted by researchers in Australia, Europe and the United States and led by researchers from the University of Copenhagen. The study was published by the journal Lancet.

Researchers reviewed data on more than 33,000 AIDS patients between 1999 and the present, and found that those taking the drug abacavir had a 90 percent higher heart attack risk than those taking other drugs.

In January, a federal panel officially recommended that a combination of abacavir and the antiviral drug 3TC (brand name Epzicom) be the "preferred choice" for AIDS patients receiving drugs for the first time.

"This [new study] is a head-scratcher, in the sense that we don't really understand the biology here," said Paul Dalton, director of Treatment and Advocacy for Project Inform in San Francisco, who served on the federal panel.

Since being approved by the FDA in 1998, abacavir has netted more than $1 billion in sales.

The new findings present a dilemma for doctors and patients, and not just because abacavir had become such a preferred treatment option. The very population that is most at risk from abacavir's heart effects, the researchers found, is people with underlying medical conditions that predispose them to heart disease, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. But the next most preferred AIDS drug, tenofovir, has a tendency to cause kidney damage, which that same population is also susceptible to.

The heart attack risk for patients taking most AIDS drugs is about three cases per 1,000, while the rate for those taking abacavir is closer to six.

Following the release of the new study, the FDA announced that it would conduct a review into whether regulatory action should be taken. But it emphasized that the study did not prove that abacavir is responsible for the elevated heart attack risk.

The Powerful Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Preventing Diseases of Inflammation: The Experts Speak

2009-10-14T10:12:00.000+07:00

What do the top authors, doctors and health experts have to say about the realtionship between omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation? I asked my Private Research Library that question recently and was overwhelmed with the remarkable wisdom it revealed.

Below, I share the top quotes from noted authors about omega-3 fatty acids and their relationship to inflammation (and the diseases of inflammation). It's an astonishing tour through the highlights of how omega-3s affect the body's response to inflammation, and you'll learn important information about the role of inflammation in diseases like Alzheimer's, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, eczema, asthma and many others. You'll also see why inflammation can easily aggravate autoimmune disorders like Lupus and type-1 diabetes, and you'll find out which low-cost trace mineral boosts the assimilation of omega-3 fatty acids.

With all the interest in marine omega-3s today, you'll find this article fascinating. Keep in mind that most of the text here was written before green-lipped mussels or krill oil became known as available sources of omega-3 fatty acids, so most authors quoted below recommend cold water fish. Fish are a great source of omega-3s, but the mercury content they may contain makes them potentially more dangerous to your health than the benefits their omega-3 oils provide. So check your sources carefully and only buy from trusted companies that can demonstrate low mercury levels through laboratory analysis.

Feel free to post this research on your own site under these two conditions: 1) Credit the original authors and book titles, as shown here, and 2) Give NaturalNews.com credit for doing this research by linking to this page. Sadly, a lot of people are ripping off NaturalNews research compilations (and other articles) and calling this work their own. As a result, the contents of this page are being monitored by CopyScape.com and users who pirate this content without giving proper credit will have their ISPs hit with de-hosting legal filings citing the relevant copyright infringement. I spent well over $100,000 and countless hours to build a private library that would allow me to efficiently conduct this kind of research. Please respect those efforts by honoring both the original authors and my own efforts in compiling this research and bringing it to you free of charge. I don't mind if you use this, but please have the common decency to cite the sources. I am the original compiler of this research, and NaturalNews is the original publisher of it.

Each quote shown below is followed by the book title and author(s). A second link allows you to purchase the book on Amazon.com (which helps promote the original author and publisher). NaturalNews earns a small commission on those book sales as an Amazon.com affiliate.

Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammation: What the experts say

The ability of omega-3 fatty acids to significantly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death -- by 45 percent -- was demonstrated in the GISSI Prevention study, in which more than eleven thousand patients participated. A recent review of the use of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of hypertension found that omega-3s protect against stroke and reaffirmed that the cardioprotective benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are related to their ability to improve blood pressure, vascular function, lipid metabolism, inflammation, and cardiac function.

Magnesium is Vital for Good Health

2009-10-14T10:11:00.000+07:00

Very few people are aware of how vital magnesium is for overall health. After oxygen, water, and basic food, magnesium may be the most important element needed by our bodies, activating over 300 different biochemical reactions necessary for your body to function properly. The U.S. minimum RDA for magnesium is about 320 mg per day for women and more than 400 mg per day for men, while optimum daily amounts are closer to 500 to 700 mg per day - yet studies show that most people regularly take in about half of that and that over 8 out of 10 people do not take enough daily magnesium for even the minimum daily amounts recommended. Recent research has revealed that this lack of magnesium may put your heart - and your health - at significant risk.

Magnesium protects against heart disease and heart attacks, high blood pressure and stroke, type II diabetes and much, much more. It is more important than calcium, potassium or sodium and regulates all three of them. Contrary to popular misconceptions, it is magnesium that is actually most important in building strong bones and preventing bone loss.

Magnesium is a muscle relaxant, while calcium is a muscle constrictor. Low magnesium intake is associated with muscle spasm, tremors and convulsions. Most Americans, particularly women, have been advised to consume 1200-1500 milligrams of calcium daily. Virtually none of these women have been told that calcium in single doses that exceed 500 milligrams are not absorbed and that they only need an additional 400-600 milligrams of supplemental calcium since their diet already provides about 800 milligrams of this mineral. Since 99 percent of magnesium resides inside living cells, blood serum levels are not a good indicator of magnesium deficiency. Blood tests for magnesium are notoriously inaccurate. Only 1 percent of the total body magnesium pool exists outside of living cells. So blood serum levels are notoriously inaccurate. [Clin Chem Lab Med 37: 1011-33, 1999]. In other words, your doctor can`t easily tell you by a blood test if your magnesium levels are low.

Most Americans, 8 in 10, do not consume enough magnesium. The countries that have the highest mortality rates in the world are the Scandinavian countries and New Zealand where more calcium is consumed from dairy products, while for comparison the lowest mortality rates in the world are in Portugal and Japan where calcium-rich dairy products are not consumed regularly. Americans consume about 800 milligrams of calcium daily (milk drinkers may get 1200-1500 mgs from their diet alone), but only consume about 275 milligrams of magnesium. Thus the dominance of calcium over magnesium produces symptoms of muscle spasm. Migraines, eyelid twitch, heart flutters, back aches, premenstrual tension, leg cramps and constipation are all linked to calcium overload. Excessive calcium may also result in kidney stones (1 in 11 Americans) and heart valve calcifications (mitral valve, 1 in 12 Americans). A significant percentage of American adults consume more than 2000 milligrams of daily calcium, the point where side effects of overdosage begin to be reported.

Magnesium has been called the "The Forgotten Mineral" and the "5-Cent Miracle Tablet" by medical researchers. Numerous researchers have reported that the provision of this mineral in the population at large would greatly diminish the incidence of kidney stones (1 in 11 Americans), calcified mitral heart valve (1 in 12 Americans), premenstrual tension, constipation, miscarriages, stillbirths, strokes, diabetes, thyroid failure, asthma, chronic eyelid twitch (blepharospasm), brittle bones, chronic migraines, muscle spasms and anxiety reactions. [Pediatric Asthma, Allergy Immunology 5: 273-79; Journal Bone Mineral Research 13: 749-58, 1998; Magnesium 5: 1-8, 1986; Medical Hypotheses 43: 187-92, 1994] That`s a lot of health benefits for a nickel. Sufficient provision of magnesium in the American population would likely reduce health care costs by billions of dollars.

When we get too low on oxygen, water or food, the consequences are serious. Yet, we often don`t realize the consequences of magnesium deficiency. The improper use of magnesium among health professionals and the population in general, is deeply responsible for many of the failures encountered daily in treating chronic health conditions nationwide. In addition to the ones listed above are:

Insomnia
Sleep-disorders
Fatigue
Body-tension
Headaches
Heart-disorders
Low energy
High Blood Pressure
PMS
Muscle tension
Backaches
Constipation
Kidney stones
Osteoporosis
Accelerated aging
Depression
Irregular-heartbeat
Anxiety
Muscle cramps
Spasms Irritability

and the list goes on.... It is reported that 90-95% of us are deficient in magnesium, including many of those who already supplement it. Why? Due to the misleading information presented in common magnesium texts. As a result, magnesium remains largely misunderstood, largely misused and the problem goes on undetected.

Magnesium and the Heart - One Mineral Can Make Or Break Your Heart`s Rhythm

Low blood levels of magnesium can significantly affect the way your heart pumps blood throughout your body. And even if you think you`re living a healthy lifestyle, you may not be getting enough of it.

Magnesium May Prevent Sudden Death Heart Attacks

More than 300,000 sudden-death heart attacks are reported annually in the US (more than 80 per day) which are believed to be related to excessive calcium and a shortage of magnesium. Modern medicine`s answer to the problem is to prescribe billions of dollars of calcium-blocker drugs. Magnesium is a natural calcium blocker, but this goes unrecognized by most physicians. Researchers warn that adults who consume excessive amounts of caffeine or alcohol, or who take water pills (diuretics), are prone to experience irregular heart beats and should consume more magnesium. The same is true for diabetics and people with low thyroid. Most Americans consume tap water that has been softened (sodium added) which worsens the problem. American adults need to supplement their diet with 200-400 milligrams of magnesium. The only side effect of too much magnesium is loose stool. Reducing dosage resolves this problem.

In the 1990s a preliminary report showed that intravenous magnesium reduced mortality rates following a heart attack. Unfortunately, this was apparently perceived as a threat to the sale of calcium-blocking drugs used for the same purpose. Medical researchers, financially backed by a pharmaceutical company that produces calcium-blocker drugs, deliberately chose to use an excessive dose of intravenous magnesium to prove it was of no value during the post-heart attack period. [Townsend Letter for Doctors, October 1998]

Magnesium is not limited to treating heart disease after a heart attack. A shortage of dietary magnesium has been repeatedly shown to be associated with an increased risk of sudden-death heart attack. Unequivocally, a shortage of magnesium from the American diet, in particular the absence or shortage of magnesium in drinking water, is directly related to sudden-death heart attack. [Epidemiology 10: 31-36, 1999; Heart 82: 455-60, 1999; American Journal Epidemiology 143: 456-62, 1996] Out of 750,000 heart attacks in the USA annually, an estimated 340,000 deaths occur within one hour of a heart attack. [Journal Nutrition Health Aging 5: 173-78, 2001]

One study showed the relative risk of sudden-death heart attack is more than 1.5 times higher among adults who consume on average 105 milligrams of magnesium a day compared to adults who consume 233 milligrams a day. [Magnesium Trace Element Research 9: 143-51, 1990]. In an animal experiment, no rodents experienced a sudden-death heart attack when magnesium levels were adequate, whereas 4 of 11 rodents with low magnesium levels experienced a sudden lethal heart muscle spasm. [Journal American Collage Cardiology 27: 1771-76, 1996]

Recently researchers reported on the effects of slowly withdrawing magnesium from the diet of postmenopausal women. Women began to exhibit abnormal heart rhythms as circulating magnesium levels declined. [American Journal Clinical Nutrition 75: 550-54, 2002] Of the minerals removed during water softening, magnesium is the only mineral found to be deficient in the heart muscle of sudden-death heart attack victims. [Science 208: 198-200, 1980]

Magnesium and High Blood Pressure

Magnesium helps signal muscles to contract and relax. And when the muscles that line the major blood vessels contract, your blood pressure rises.

When researchers studied the diets of 40,000 nurses and 30,000 male health professionals, they found lower blood pressures in people who ate more magnesium.

Magnesium and Diabetes

Eating more magnesium-rich foods, like green leafy vegetables and nuts, may reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes, suggests a meta-analysis of observational studies.

The analysis of prospective cohort studies, by researchers at Stockholm`s Karolinska Institutet, reports that for every 100 milligram increase in magnesium intake, the risk of developing type-2 diabetes decreased by 15 per cent. Larsson and Wolk identified seven studies looking at the link between magnesium intake from food or food plus supplements and the risk of type-2 diabetes. This gave the researchers a total of 286,668 participants and 10,912 cases of type-2 diabetes. Six of the studies showed a statistically significant inverse association, with every 100 mg per day increase in magnesium intake linked to a 15 per cent decrease in type-2 diabetes risk.

"The potential protective role of magnesium intake against type-2 diabetes may be due to improvement of insulin sensitivity," said the reviewers. "Studies in animals have demonstrated an adverse effect of magnesium deficiency on glucose-induced insulin secretion and insulin-mediated glucose uptake. In contrast, magnesium supplementation was shown to prevent fructose-induced insulin resistance and reduce the development of diabetes in a rat model of spontaneous type-2 diabetes."

They concluded that while it is too early to recommend magnesium supplements for type-2 diabetes prevention, increased consumption of magnesium-rich food "seems prudent."

While refusing to label the results of their meta-analysis definitive, authors Susanna Larsson and Alicia Wolk wrote in the Journal of Internal Medicine that the evidence that increased intake of magnesium may reduce the incidence of type-2 diabetes was "compelling."

Widespread Dietary Deficiency

Since the turn of last century, our depleted soils, processed foods and fast food diet lifestyles have led to a steady increase in mineral deficiencies. Nowhere is this more true than in Magnesium:

Progressive decline of dietary magnesium consumption

Magnesium intake in mg/day
1900-08 475-500
1909-13 415-435
1925-29 385-398
1935-39 360-375
1947-49 358-370
1957-59 340-360
1965-76 300-340
1978-85 225-318
1990-2002 175-225

[Magnesium Trace Elements 10: 162-28, 1997]

Dietary Sources of Magnesium by Standard Serving Size - Including Calories

Pumpkin and squash seed kernels, roasted - 1 oz contains 151 mg of magnesium and 148 calories
Brazil nuts - 1 oz contains 107 mg of magnesium and 186 calories
Bran ready-to-eat cereal (100%), - ~1 oz contains 103 mg of magnesium and 74 calories Halibut, cooked - 3 oz contains 151 mg of magnesium and 148 calories
Quinoa, dry - 1/4 cup contains 89 mg of magnesium and 159 calories
Spinach, canned - 1/2 cup contains 81 mg of magnesium and 25 calories
Almonds - 1 oz contains 78 mg of magnesium and 164 calories
Spinach, cooked from fresh - 1/2 cup contains 78 mg of magnesium and 20 calories
Buckwheat flour - 1/4 cup contains 75 mg of magnesium and 101 calories
Cashews, dry roasted - 1 oz contains 74 mg of magnesium and 163 calories
Soybeans, mature, cooked - 1/2 cup contains 74 mg of magnesium and 149 calories
Pine nuts, dried - 1 oz contains 71 mg of magnesium and 191 calories
Mixed nuts, oil roasted, with peanuts - 1 oz contains 67 mg of magnesium and 175 calories
White beans, canned - 1/2 cup contains 67 mg of magnesium and 154 calories
Pollock, walleye, cooked - 3 oz contains 62 mg of magnesium and 96 calories Black beans, cooked - 1/2 cup contains 60 mg of magnesium and 114 calories
Bulgur, dry - 1/4 cup contains 57 mg of magnesium and 120 calories
Oat bran, raw - 1/4 cup contains 55 mg of magnesium and 58 calories
Soybeans, green, cooked - 1/2 cup contains 54 mg of magnesium and 127 calories
Tuna, yellowfin, cooked - 3 oz contains 54 mg of magnesium and 118 calories
Artichokes (hearts), cooked - 1/2 cup contains 50 mg of magnesium and 42 calories
Peanuts, dry roasted - 1 oz contains 50 mg of magnesium and 166 calories
Lima beans, baby, cooked from frozen - 1/2 cup contains 50 mg of magnesium and 95 calories
Beet greens, cooked - 1/2 cup contains 49 mg of magnesium and 19 calories
Navy beans, cooked - 1/2 cup contains 48 mg of magnesium and 127 calories
Tofu, firm, prepared with nigaria (a) - 1/2 cup contains 47 mg of magnesium and 88 calories
Okra, cooked from frozen - 1/2 cup contains 47 mg of magnesium and 26 calories
Soy beverage - 1 cup contains 47 mg of magnesium and 127 calories
Cowpeas, cooked - 1/2 cup contains 46 mg of magnesium and 100 calories
Hazelnuts - 1 oz contains 46 mg of magnesium and 178 calories
Oat bran muffin - 1 oz contains 45 mg of magnesium and 77 calories
Great northern beans, cooked - 1/2 cup contains 44 mg of magnesium and 104 calories
Oat bran, cooked - 1/2 cup contains 44 mg of magnesium and 44 calories
Buckwheat groats, roasted, cooked - 1/2 cup contains 43 mg of magnesium and 78 calories
Brown rice, cooked - 1/2 cup contains 42 mg of magnesium and 108 calories
Haddock, cooked - 3 oz contains 42 mg of magnesium and 95 calories
Spirulina - 10 grams contains 40 mg of magnesium and 39 calories

(a) Calcium sulfate and magnesium chloride.

Source (with the exception of Spirulina): http://www.hoptechno.com/bookfoodso...

Note: It is healthier to consume as many of the items on the list as possible in raw form. The soy products are not recommended due to the widespread use of GMO soy and other health concerns related to soy.

Supplementation Advised

Although you can see from the above chart that a person might be able to obtain enough minimum RDA of magnesium and perhaps even optimum amounts of magnesium through a very carefully planned and managed daily diet, it would be a difficult task since much of the above list are no longer staple parts of our Western diets. When processed food is added to the diet it can safely be assumed that, while anyone should be able to increase the magnesium they get from wise diet choices, it is exceedingly difficult for the general public to consume enough magnesium through dietary sources alone.

Only supplementation is likely to make up for such a widespread deficiency in magnesium. Foods cannot easily be fortified with magnesium because it is a bulky mineral that would alter the consistency and taste of flour and foods. Magnesium cannot be added to tap water because it would erode piping. Either magnesium pills or magnesium added to bottled water would make up for this mineral deficiency. Currently, only 5 major brands of bottled water provide a desirable measure of more than 75 milligrams of magnesium per liter and only one brand has a ratio of magnesium that exceeds that of calcium.

Since the same problems with soil depletion and diet causes deficiencies in many other vital minerals, it would be a good idea to supplement for magnesium and to also supplement with a wide range of minerals. The very best source of mineral supplements are plant derived minerals, because they are more readily absorbed than mined rock minerals. For maximum absorption, bromelain can be added. Bromelain is an all natural compound found in the stem of the pineapple plant and is a powerful binder that increases the absorption of many things.

Until now it was thought that the best forms of supplemental magnesium were the ones chelated to an amino acid (magnesium glycinate, magnesium taurate) or a krebs cycle intermediate (magnesium malate, magnesium citrate, magnesium fumarate). But now we have magnesium oil, a magnesium chloride, that can be applied directly to the skin, so dosage levels can be brought up safely to high levels without diarrhea and problems with absorption. Magnesium orotate is considered to be a superior form of oral magnesium supplementation. The only side effect of too much magnesium is loose stool. Reducing the dosage or dividing daily doses into smaller amounts resolves the problem.

Note: For optimum health, magnesium and calcium intake needs to be at about a 1 to 2 ratio. So, if you supplement with 500 mg of magnesium, you should supplement with 1000 mg of calcium (or less if you get plenty of dietary calcium and little dietary magnesium).

---------------------------------------

Sources included:

Jenny Thompson, Health Sciences Institute

http://www.omeonet.info/en/articles...

Journal of Internal Medicine (Blackwell Publishing)
Published on-line, doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2007.01840.x
"Magnesium intake and risk of type-2 diabetes: a meta-analysis"
Authors: S.C. Larsson, A. Wolk

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2002; 75:550-554

Low-Dose Aspirin Not Answer for Heart Health

2009-10-14T10:09:00.000+07:00

If you listen to the reigning experts from the pharmaceutical world, aspirin appears to be the cure-all for everything. Now, a new Yale University study suggests that low-dose aspirin may prevent liver damage caused by side effects of drugs, alcohol, and obesity. Specifically, aspirin reduced mortality caused by Tylenol overdose in mice. Given together with Tylenol, it offered significant protection, increasing survival from 22 to 43%. Other drugs that block inflammation were also shown to protect the liver (Imaeda et al., 2009). As usual, no mention was made of anti-inflammatory vitamins and minerals in this study.

A number of pharmaceutical industry-sponsored studies support the use of aspirin for prevention. Low-dose aspirin is positioned as a widely available, inexpensive, and relatively safe drug regimen. Its anti-clotting effect is used widely to prevent heart attacks, strokes and blood clot formation. Given immediately after a heart attack, aspirin is said to reduce heart damage and the risk of another heart attack. Now, low dose aspirin may be promoted to inhibit liver inflammation from drug use. Consider, however, that higher doses may increase liver toxicity.

Thus, from one single mouse study, the authors conclude that aspirin should be taken daily to help prevent or treat liver damage from a host of non-infectious causes. They even suggest that drugs previously discarded due to liver toxicity might be resurrected if combined with aspirin. Soon enough, a new OTC drug combining Tylenol and low-dose aspirin is likely to show up in drugstores.

However, aspirin is not the cure-all that the industry makes it out to be. Aspirin is not recommended for those with intolerance or resistance to nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, or by those with bleeding problems, asthma, kidney disease, peptic ulcers, diabetes, gout or gastritis. There is an increased risk of stomach bleeding when aspirin is taken with alcohol or warfarin. Up to 28% of patients who take low-dose aspirin to ward off heart attacks develop peptic ulcers, though often without symptoms (Yeomans et al., 2005). Factors that increase ulcer risk include old age or infection with H. pylori. Aspirin should also not be given to young people for colds or flu, as this has been linked with Reye`s syndrome. As with any drug, the benefits of aspirin should be carefully assessed before taking it for long periods.

Generally speaking, no drug is a solution for chronic degenerative disease. Aspirin is no exception, as it is in fact a metabolic poison. Indeed, aspirin`s side effects may far outweigh any benefits. Aspirin can increase the risk of pancreatic cancer (Schernhammer 2004), damage kidneys, and promote gastric bleeding. The WASH (Warfarin/Aspirin Study in Heart failure) study provided no evidence that aspirin is effective or safe in patients with heart failure. Indeed, there were trends toward a worse outcome among those taking aspirin, including heart failure (Cleland et al., 2004). It is likely that aspirin is not as safe as suggested. It may also not be as cheap as advertised, when calculating the costs of treatment for adverse effects. Perhaps the greatest detriment of aspirin is that it diverts attention away from treatments that are truly beneficial.

Nevertheless, it is not wise to go cold turkey with any medication. People who stop taking aspirin once they`ve been doing it for a while risk serious heart problems. More than 10% of people taking daily aspirin for heart reasons were hospitalized within one week of stopping the therapy. It`s a Catch-22 situation, since aspirin can increase the risk of heart damage, but stopping long-term therapy can do the same. Solutions? Start by asking your doctor to safely wean you off blood-thinners without shocking your system into a heart attack. In the future, take these drugs only when needed. There are many natural alternatives to aspirin that are heart healthy without the damaging side effects.

So, what are the best alternatives to aspirin? Simple lifestyle changes such as reducing refined carbohydrate and trans fat intake, eating more alkaline foods (low-carb veggies and fruits) and exercising can have a tremendously positive effect on your cardiovascular system. There are also natural supplements with blood-thinning properties, such as Fish Oil, Vitamin E, Nattokinase, and Bromelain. Among the spices, Basil is known for preventing blood clotting. Scientists caution not to take these potential blood thinners with aspirin, as the combination may thin the blood excessively. However, fish oil may safely enhance the anti-platelet effect of baby aspirin (Larson 2008). A basic supplement regimen for cardiovascular health includes a high quality multivitamin, natural mixed vitamin E and pharmaceutical grade fish oil. There are also many minerals and antioxidants from food and supplements that boost circulatory health. Remember to buy top shelf supplements, not the cheap drugstore junk produced by the pharmaceutical industry. The extra cost is well worth the investment. Remember also to stop taking all blood thinners at least a week before surgery to avoid internal bleeding.

Furthermore, be careful with excessive calcium supplementation. Too much calcium, without other nutrients to prevent its crystallization in the body, leads to hardening of the arteries and abnormal blood clotting. Reducing calcium intake to 800 mg daily combined with magnesium, vitamin K2, vitamin D3, boron and fish oil is by far a better bone building strategy that can also improve heart health. Unfortunately, most magnesium supplements come in the oxide form, which is not absorbed by the body. Take 100-200 mg magnesium daily as citrate or taurate (or another absorbable form) to soften calcium. Vitamin K2 (but not vitamin K1) has been shown to decalcify blood vessels (Beulens et al., 2008). Vitamin D3 should be on everyone`s list to improve calcium metabolism and reduce inflammation.

There are also special foods and supplements that prevent excessive blood clotting. Nattokinase is an enzyme made from fermented soybeans that can prevent or dissolve clots. It is comparable to aspirin in enhancing blood flow, without the side effects. Nattokinase provides longer lasting benefits than aspirin without the potential for abnormal bleeding. By increasing circulation, Nattokinase enhances tissue oxygenation and increases nutrient and supplement utilization. This, in turn, increases energy, supports vision, promotes bone and joint health, alleviates minor joint and muscle pains, and supports memory (Peng et al., 2005). Nattokinase in combination with appropriate lifestyle and dietary modifications can provide excellent protection from heart attacks.

Flavonol-rich cocoa drinks and dark chocolate also compare favorably with low-dose aspirin for healthy blood clotting (Mehrinfar 2008). Cocoa may be the preferred way to thin blood, since it tastes so good, and bolsters antioxidant defenses. In contrast, aspirin may reduce antioxidant activity by blocking Vitamin C entry into cells. Tomato extracts have also been shown to help thin blood, and may contribute to cardiovascular health. By reducing platelet activation, tomato contributes to a reduction in clotting events that lead to heart attack and stroke, as shown in clinical trials (O`Kennedy 2006). Garlic`s blood-thinning effect is part of an ancient tradition. It stems from garlic`s ability to lower blood triglyceride levels. Indeed, a wide variety of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds derived from fruits and vegetables work in synergy to promote cardiovascular health. Many of these phytochemicals are available as supplements, either separately or in synergistic blends.

If you insist on taking aspirin, consider that zinc and selenium may prevent aspirin`s impairment of antioxidant, liver and kidney function (Kesik et al., 2008). These antioxidant minerals can be found in ideal form and sufficient quantity in high quality multivitamins.

In conclusion, virtually all pharmaceutical approaches to health should be considered with caution. Drugs are not the best answer to improve health, and should not be anyone`s first choice. Furthermore, drug combinations are likely to cause more problems than they fix. Unfortunately, the pharmaceutical industry seems more concerned with profit than with health and welfare. Even well meaning doctors typically have no training in nutrition, and are not the best source of information in many areas of health. With so many beneficial nutrients available to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, wholesome food and supplements are the cornerstone to health. Those who would recommend drugs for these purposes, especially to counteract the toxic effects of other drugs, have another agenda altogether.

References
Beulens JWJ, Bots ML, Atsma F, et al. High dietary menaquinone intake is associated with reduced coronary calcification. Atherosclerosis. 2008 Jul 19. [Epub ahead of print]

Cleland JG, Findlay I, Jafri S, et al. The warfarin/aspirin study in heart failure (WASH): a randomized trial comparing antithrombotic strategies for patients with heart failure. Am Heart J 2004;148:157-64.

Imaeda AB, Watanabe1 A, Sohail1 MA, et al. Acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice is dependent on Tlr9 and the Nalp3 inflammasome. J Clin Invest Jan 26, 2009.

Kesik V, Lenk MK, Kurekci AE, et al. Do zinc and selenium prevent the antioxidant, hepatic and renal system impairment caused by aspirin in rats? Biol Trace Elem Res 2008;123:168-78.

Larson MK, Ashmore JH, Harris KA, et al. Effects of omega-3 acid ethyl esters and aspirin, alone and in combination, on platelet function in healthy subjects. Thromb Haemost 2008;100:634-41.

Mehrinfar R, Frishman WH. Flavanol-rich cocoa: a cardioprotective nutraceutical.
Cardiol Rev 2008;16:109-15.

O`Kennedy N, Crosbie L, Whelan S, et al. Effects of tomato extract on platelet function: a double-blinded crossover study in healthy humans. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:561-9.

Peng Y, Yang X, Zhang Y, et al. Microbial fibrinolytic enzymes: an overview of source, production, properties, and thrombolytic activity in vivo. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2005;69:126-32.

Schernhammer ES, Kang JH, Chan AT, et al. A prospective study of aspirin use and the risk of pancreatic cancer in women. J Natl Cancer Inst 2004;96:22-8.

Yeomans ND, Lanas AI, Talley NJ, et al. Prevalence and incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers during treatment with vascular protective doses of aspirin. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2005;22:795-801.

Newer Antipsychotic Drugs Raise Fatal Heart Attack Risk

2009-10-14T10:08:00.000+07:00

he highly popular class of drugs known as atypical antipsychotics may significantly increase a patient's risk of suffering from a fatal heart attack, according to a new study conducted by researchers from the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Antipsychotic drugs are designed to treat schizophrenia, but are often prescribed (sometimes off-label) for other conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression and even hyperactivity. The so-called atypical antipsychotics became popular in the 1990s and rapidly outstripped the older ("typical") antipsychotics in usage, largely due to the perception that they were safer. According to the current study, however, the newer drugs boost heart attack risk even more than the old ones.

"Many people thought the 'atypicals' would be much, much safer," researcher Wayne Ray said. "Our study suggests that they are not at all safer in regards to this serious end point."

The researchers reviewed medical records on 277,000 users of the Tennessee Medicaid program, looking at fatal heart attack risk among both users and nonusers of atypical antipsychotics.

Prior research has found that users of the older antipsychotics have a significantly higher risk of death than non-users, which led the FDA to update those drugs' warning labels in June.

"A similar increased risk was seen for current users of atypical antipsychotic drugs, who had a rate of sudden cardiac death that was more than twice that for non-users," the researchers in the current study wrote.

The researchers also found that the risk of fatal heart attack correlated directly with the dosage of antipsychotic being taken. The risk of heart death dropped quickly once patients stopped taking the drugs.

For years, the FDA has recognized that taking atypical antipsychotics significantly increases a person's risk of early death. This is attributed in part to the fact that the drugs interfere with the flow of potassium, an essential nutrient for regulating nerve and muscle (including heart) function.

Sources for this story include: uk.reuters.com.

Eat Like the Mediterraneans and Lower Risk of Metabolic Syndrome and Cognitive Impairment

2009-10-14T10:07:00.000+07:00

The good news about the Mediterranean diet just keeps coming. New studies have shown that eating like the Mediterraneans lowers the risk of having metabolic syndrome and stroke. It also lowers the chances for mild cognitive impairment, and the risk of progression from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease. Survivors of heart attack had lower inflammatory markers when they adhered to the Mediterranean way of eating. Scientists have even isolated one of the most beneficial components of the diet.

Study finds Mediterranean eating cuts risk of metabolic syndrome

University scientists in Spain evaluated the relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and metabolic syndrome, which is defined as a combination of medical disorders that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. One quarter of the world's population has metabolic syndrome. These people are three times as likely to have a heart attack as those who do not have the syndrome, and twice as likely to die from their heart attacks. They have a five fold greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Up to 80% of the 200 million people with diabetes globally will die of cardiovascular disease. This puts metabolic syndrome way above HIV/AIDS in terms of morbidity and mortality, yet the syndrome is not well recognized by the medical establishment.

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 808 high cardiovascular risk participants. Metabolic syndrome was defined by the updated National Cholesterol and Education Program Adult Treatment Panel criteria. The scientists found an inverse association between quartiles of adherence to the diet and the prevalence of the syndrome. Participants with the highest adherence to Mediterranean eating had up to 54 percent lower odds of having low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides compared to those in the lowest quartile. Components of the diet such as olive oil, legumes, and red wine were associated with lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The study was published in the January 26 edition of Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Disease.

Potent beneficial compound of Mediterranean eating revealed

A study in Italy considered the relationship between dietary intake of allium vegetables and cardiovascular diseases. The allium family consists of versatile vegetables high in beneficial sulfur compounds that give them their distinctive taste and aroma. Onions and garlic are allium vegetables as are shallots, leeks and chives.

Researchers analyzed the relationship between onion intake and acute myocardial infarction (AMI), or heart attack. They used data from a case-control study of 760 patients with a first episode of non fatal heart attack, and 682 controls admitted to the same hospital. Information was collected by trained interviewers using a food-frequency questionnaire. They found that compared with non-users, the odds ratio of AMI for the following categories of onion intake were .90 for less than one portion per week and .78 for greater than one portion per week. From this study, reported in the January 13 edition of the European Journal of Nutrition, the researchers concluded that a diet rich in onions has a favorable effect on heart attack risk.

Mediterranean style eating is good for the brain

Researchers at Columbia University in New York explored the association between the Mediterranean diet and mild cognitive impairment. In a multi-ethnic community study in New York, 1393 cognitively normal participants were followed for a mean period of 4.5 years. During that time, 275 of them developed mild cognitive impairment. Compared with subjects in the lowest third for adherence to the Mediterranean diet, those in the middle third had 17 percent less risk of developing mild cognitive impairment, and those in the highest third had 28 percent less risk of developing mild cognitive impairment. There were 482 subjects who had pre-existing mild cognitive impairment, 106 of whom developed Alzheimer's disease during a mean follow up of 4.3 years. Compared with subjects in the lowest third in diet adherence, subjects in the middle third had 45 percent less risk of developing Alzheimer's, and those in the highest third had 48 percent less risk. This study was reported in the February Archives of Neurology.

The Mediterranean diet is based on abundance, not deprivation

While it is common to think of diets restricting food intake, the Mediterranean diet is a way of eating that compasses a love of eating. It has nothing to do with deprivation. It is based on the glorious array of fresh foods that are products of the region.

The diet was discovered by Dr. Ancel Keys, from the University of Minnesota Public Health School, given its name by the International Conference on Diets in the Mediterranean in 1993, and promoted by Dr. Willett, Head of the Nutrition Department at Harvard University. It is the diet of the common people living in Greece, Italy and Spain.

What is thought of as the traditional Mediterranean diet has been interpreted into a pyramid with daily physical activity at its base. Regular physical activity is seen as bedrock for promoting healthy weight, fitness and well-being. This is not grueling exercise, but enjoyable activity like walking, soccer, tennis, golf, dancing, weight lifting and love making. It includes activities with immediate paybacks, like house cleaning and gardening.

The food base of the pyramid is comprised of plant sources, including fruits, vegetables, potatoes, breads and grains, beans, and nuts and seeds. Common foods on this step are pasta, rice, couscous, and polenta. Emphasis is on a variety of minimally processed, and whenever possible, seasonally fresh and locally grown foods. Foods typically grown in the region include olives, avocadoes, grapes, spinach, eggplant, tomatoes, broccoli, peppers, mushrooms, garlic, capers, onions, almonds, walnuts, chick peas, white beans, lentils and other beans, and peanuts.

Olive oil is the principle fat used in Mediterranean cuisine. Total fat consumption ranges from less than 25 percent to over 35 percent of calories, with saturated fat making up no more than 7 to 8 percent of all fat calories. Olive oil is predominantly monounsaturated fat. Mediterraneans do not generally use highly process polyunsaturated vegetable or seed oils.

Small amounts of cheese and yogurt are consumed by the Mediterraneans on a daily basis. Consumption of fish is also a traditional part of their diet, but fish is usually consumed only once a week and in small amounts. The fish is primarily shellfish or sardines. Weekly consumption of poultry is also common. Mediterraneans eat eggs too, but don't consume more than four eggs a week including those used in cooking and baking.

Sweets such as pastries, ice cream and cookies are consumed occasionally. They are not a part of the daily diet.

At the very top of the pyramid is animal meat, such as veal or lamb. This is consumed about once a month, a very different scenario that the typical American diet in which large chunks of animals are often eaten two or three times a day. The Mediterraneans are able to meet most of their protein needs by consuming vegetables, nuts and seeds, and beans. The daily small serving of cheese or yogurt makes these proteins complete, providing all the essential amino acids.

Alcohol, particularly red wine, is consumed in moderation with meals.

The Mediterranean diet provides the nutrients needed for good health

The reliance of the Mediterraneans on fruits and vegetables as the major force in their diets means they are consuming large amounts of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants from what they eat, so supplements are not usually needed. The diet provides a high amount of health promoting polyphenols, compounds found in fruits and vegetables that protect against the ravages of aging and ward off degenerative diseases. Their red wine provides resveratrol, the compound that mimics a diet of calorie restriction, making the Mediterranean diet one that does not make its eaters overweight. Through the dairy products and occasional fish and meats, the diet provides critical nutrients for brain health.

Olive oil also helps produce many of the beneficial effects of the diet with its ability to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Olive oil is known to lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure. Research indicates that olive oil prevents peptic ulcers and is effective in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. It has recently been shown to protect women from HER-2 breast cancer. Olive oil, along with the nuts, seeds and fish of the diet provides beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids lower triglycerides and have an anti-inflammatory effect that helps to stabilize blood vessel lining. Omega-3 fats promote optimal cognitive functioning.

For more information:

http://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?n...

http://www.naturalnews.com/023346.html

http://www.mediterraneanddiet.com/

Drug for Heart Disease Causes Heart Attack and Stroke

2009-10-14T10:05:00.002+07:00

According to a study published in the March 18 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), a drug that had looked promising in preventing atherosclerosis (the process in which plaque builds up in the inner lining of the arteries leading to cardiovascular events) in animal tests just doesn`t work in humans. What`s more, the medication appears to be downright dangerous. Instead of preventing cardiac problems, it increases the incidence of heart attacks and strokes.

The theory behind trying the drug, pactimibe, is that the medication supposedly blocks the action of acyl coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), an enzyme involved in cholesterol accumulation. So by inhibiting one form of the enzyme, ACAT-1, scientists reasoned pactimibe should slow the progression of atherosclerosis and prevent the development of plaque.

The drug was tested in 892 people with a family history of high cholesterol (familial hypercholesterolemia), which is associated with a higher risk for atherosclerosis. In a randomized, placebo-controlled study called the Carotid Atherosclerosis Progression Trial Investigating Vascular ACAT Inhibition Treatment Effects (CAPTIVATE, for short) conducted at 40 clinics in the US, Canada, Europe, South Africa and Israel, 443 subjects were given 100 mg/d of pactimibe and 438 received identical looking but inactive placebo pills. When the study began, the amount of atherosclerosis the participants had was measured by ultrasound carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) tests and the ultrasounds were repeated after 12, 18, and 24 months.

The treatment was stopped in October of 2005 when CIMT testing revealed there was no difference between thickness of the artery walls in those taking pactimibe and in those taking placebo. In fact, after six months of treatment with pactimibe, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, also known as the "bad" cholesterol) increased by an average of 7.3 percent compared with only 1.4 in the placebo group. An even more disturbing outcome was noted in the people taking the drug -- a statistically significant increase in cardiovascular deaths, heart attacks, and strokes.

In a statement to the media, Marijn C. Meuwese, M.D., of the Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, and colleagues concluded "... in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, pactimibe had no effect on atherosclerosis as assessed by changes in maximum CIMT compared with placebo but was associated with an increase in mean CIMT as well as increased incidence of major cardiovascular events." They added that the findings from these other studies lessen "the promise and further development of this class of drugs for cardiovascular prevention."

Fortunately, even having a genetic inheritance that makes you more likely to have extra high cholesterol doesn`t necessarily doom you to a life of heart problems and necessitate your taking of cholesterol lowering drugs. For example, the NIH`s National Cholesterol Education Program notes a healthy lifestyle is a proven way to help keep your cholesterol level in check. Limiting saturated fat in your diet, keeping your weight at a healthy level, and being physically active for 30 minutes most days has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol and raise high density lipoprotein (HDL, the "good" cholesterol).

For more information:
http://pubs.ama-assn.org/media/2009...
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/pub...

Statins Cause Heart Attacks in Some Users

2009-10-14T10:04:00.000+07:00

Over 38 million people in the U.S. are currently taking statin drugs to lower high cholesterol levels. However, German scientists at the Martin Luther-University in Halle-Wittenberg have just published research in the Journal of Lipid Research that shows, for some people, taking statins actually increases the risk of having heart attacks.

The researchers studied over 1,000 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), and found that a subset of those had high levels of an enzyme called phospholipid transferprotein, or PLTP for short. PTLP is known to influence the metabolism of cholesterol-containing molecules like low density lipoprotein (LDL, or the "bad" cholesterol) and high density lipoprotein (the "good" cholesterol known as HDL) . While the exact role PLTP plays in cardiovascular health remains unknown, the enzyme is associated with atherosclerosis (the accumulation of plaque in arteries) and heart disease. So a team of scientists led by Axel Schlitt decided to measure the amount of PLTP in 1,085 patients with CAD and then track these PLTP levels to see what the relationship of the enzyme might be to future cardiovascular events.

A little over five years later, 156 of the study participants had suffered from fatal or non-fatal heart attacks, including 47 of the 395 people in the group who were taking statin drugs. Surprisingly, the researchers found that people with high PLTP levels didn't have more heart attacks, unless they were taking statins -- taking the drugs gave them a significant increase in their heart attack risk.

In a statement to the media, the researchers noted that while follow-up studies are needed to tease out the exact connection between PLTP and statins, their study does suggest levels of PLTP in the blood should be looked at before people are put on statin medications.

Although statin drugs have been shown to lower cholesterol levels dramatically, there are a host of natural and side-effect free ways to accomplish this, including increasing fiber in the diet, increasing exercise levels, and losing weight. On the other hand, popping a statin pill each day may seem like an easy short-cut to reducing cholesterol, but it can come with a significant price, and not only to the pocketbook. A host of side effects, from liver and kidney damage to memory problems and muscle damage have been reported.

In fact, approximately 200,000 Americans who take statins to treat high cholesterol may develop a life-threatening muscle disease called "statin myopathy", according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Currently there is no comprehensive way to identify those who may be at risk for this debilitating condition, but new NIH-funded research is currently underway by scientists at the University at Buffalo to hopefully find out.

For more information:
http://www.jlr.org/cgi/content/abst...
http://www.buffalo.edu/news/9664

Western Diet Responsible for One-Third of Heart Attacks

2009-10-14T10:03:00.000+07:00

One-third of heart attacks worldwide may be attributable to diets high in fat, salt, eggs and meat, according to a groundbreaking new study published in the journal Circulation.

"Thirty percent of the risk of heart disease in a population could be related to poor diet," lead author Romania Iqbal said.

In the INTERHEART study, researchers from Canada's McMaster University compared diet and heart attack risk among 16,000 people in 52 countries -- 5,561 people who had survived a heart attack, and 10,646 who had no history of heart disease.

Using responses to a detailed dietary questionnaire, researchers assigned each participant a dietary risk score based on their consumption of 19 foods including eggs, grains, fish, red or white meat, dairy, raw fruits and vegetables, and fried and salty foods. The researchers then sorted respondents into three general dietary categories: "Western," "prudent" and "Oriental [sic]".

A Western dietary pattern was high in fried foods, eggs, meat and salt. The prudent pattern was high in fruits and vegetables, while the "Oriental" pattern was high in tofu and sauces such as soy sauce.

The researchers then compared the heart attack risk of people who fell into each dietary category with those who did not, adjusting for other cardiovascular risk factors such as age, body mass index, exercise, geographical location, sex and smoking status.

People who ate lots of foods in the Western category had a 35 percent higher heart attack risk than those who ate less meat, eggs, and fried and salty foods. Conversely, those with a prudent diet had a 30 percent lower heart attack risk than those who ate fewer fruits and vegetables.

"What we found was that the prudent diet, which is very simple -- lots of fruits and vegetables, less fried food and red meat -- was protective," senior author Salim Yusuf said. "It was protective in every part of the world, in men and women, old and young -- everybody. And the degree of protection was quite substantial."

There was no significant difference in heart attack risk between those who ate foods characteristic of the "Oriental" diet and those who did not.

The researchers noted that the study's design was unique in zeroing in on the cardiovascular effects of specific foods, and in examining the "Oriental" eating pattern, as well as the more well-studied Western and prudent patterns.

Significantly, the study showed that the issue is not necessarily the specific dishes that are more traditionally eaten by Western cultures -- such as meat and potatoes -- but rather the presence of meat, eggs, fat and salt in the diet as a whole. Thus, replacing traditional Western foods with fatty foods from other parts of the world will have little health benefit.

"Most people in North America would think of French fries, pizza and potato chips as the big offenders here," researcher Sonia Anand said "That's true, but we also include into that things like samosas and pakoras and fried won ton so that this message applies generally to people from India, people from China -- that deep frying is not good for you."

C-Reactive Protein Test for Heart Disease Found Useless - Researchers

2009-10-14T10:01:00.000+07:00

When scientific studies found possible biomarkers for cardiovascular disease in recent years, it didn't take long for the medical industry to start manufacturing and promoting blood tests for them, especially the main, supposedly new risk factor for heart disease and stroke known as C-reactive protein (CRP). The claims for CRP testing being important were based on findings it might be a marker of inflammation which leads to heart attacks and strokes. But two new studies just published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) reach conclusions that seem to indicate it is far better to use plain common sense to identify individual risk factors such as being overweight, having high blood pressure, smoking tobacco, and not exercising as ways to predict who will have cardiovascular problems -- not a host of expensive and unproven tests currently being hyped and promoted by many doctors and medical centers.

Olle Melander, MD, PhD, of Lund University in Sweden, and colleagues assessed a whole list of cardiovascular biomarkers to see if they were more useful in predicting future cardiovascular events than standard risk factors like hypertension. The study included 5,067 people with an average age of 58 who didn't have signs of heart disease at the beginning of the study, which recruited patients between 1991 and 1994. The research subjects were followed until 2006 and the Swedish national hospital discharge and cause-of-death registers were used to see if they had experienced cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke or coronary death.

Many of them had fallen ill to these health problems. In all, there were over 600 coronary and cardiovascular events experienced during this time. But did expensive biomarker tests turn out to predict who would have one of these events? The use of combinations of biomarkers including CRP and newer ones dubbed cystatin C, lipoprotein-associated phospholipase 2, midregional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), midregional proatrial natriuretic peptide, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (N-BNP) showed some slight statistical ability to predict who was going to have heart attacks and stroke, but the finding was very minimal. In fact, the authors wrote, the biomarker testing "did not reclassify a substantial proportion of individuals to higher or lower risk categories". Bottom line: all those tests made no significant difference in figuring out who was at risk and who wasn't.

Another just-published JAMA study comes down even harder on the idea that CRP tests can predict heart attack and stroke risk. A group of international scientists, including researchers from Germany, the United Kingdom and Canada, put together data from several health studies which had collected DNA from 128,000 research subjects. Headed by epidemiologist Paul Elliott of Imperial College in London, the research team searched for proof that people who have genes known to raise CRP levels have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

But the findings showed that wasn't the case. There have also been claims in previous studies of associations between CRP and type 2 diabetes and even being overweight. But an association is not proof CRP is the cause of any of these health problems -- nor a cause of heart attacks and strokes.

And there is now no evidence at all CRP testing should be carried out on the masses or that people with elevated CRP need to be treated with new drugs designed to lower it. "Moreover, this study suggests that development of therapeutic strategies targeting specific reductions in plasma levels of CRP are unlikely to be fruitful," the researchers concluded in a statement to the media.

As covered earlier this year in Natural News (http://www.naturalnews.com/026256_I...), it makes more sense to fight heart disease and stroke with a healthy lifestyle. Research conducted by scientists in Iceland found, in fact, that between 1981 and 2006 mortality rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) in Iceland plummeted by an amazing 80 percent in men and women between the ages of 25 and 74 due primarily to good nutrition, exercise and other natural approaches to health.

For more information:
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/conten...
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/conten...
http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/conten...

Cayenne Pepper is the King of Herbs

2009-10-14T09:57:00.000+07:00

Cayenne pepper has been called "the king of herbs" with good reason, as it has been prized for thousands of years for its healing powers. Folklore from around the world has recounted amazing results in its simple healing of baffling health problems.

The famed herbal healer Dr. Shulze said, "If you master only one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper. It is more powerful than any other."

In particular cayenne pepper is good for the heart and circulatory system and can be a lifesaver in the event of a heart attack - if you have concerns over heart attacks, never leave home without it!

From the healing text of Dr. Christopher:

"In 35 years of practice, and working with the people and teaching, I have never on house calls lost one heart attack patient and the reason is, whenever I go in--if they are still breathing--I pour down them a cup of cayenne tea (a teaspoon of cayenne in a cup of hot water, and within minutes they are up and around)."

Some of the other medicinal or health benefits of the Cayenne pepper include:

Cayenne pepper added diet helps avoid stomach aches, gas and cramps. Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine recommends cayenne for proper digestion as it stimulates the flow of stomach secretions and saliva.

Cayenne pepper improves the effectiveness of other herbs.

Topical application of cayenne pepper causes irritation in the applied area; thus, it helps distract the nerves from joint pains due to arthritis.

Cayenne added water can be used to gargle with, to cure sore throats.

The capsaicin in cayenne pepper stimulates secretions, which helps to clear the mucus from nose and lungs by clearing the sinuses and causing sweating. Cayenne pepper added tea is good for colds and flu.

When any body part is sick, the blood flow to that area is usually affected. Cayenne helps to remove that blockage and stimulates the blood flow so that the vitamins are properly delivered to all areas of the body and waste is removed.

In addition to it`s ability to stop heart attacks, cayenne helps to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Cayenne also helps to dissolve fibrin which causes formation of blood clots and it reduces triglyceride levels.

Smelling cayenne helps cure headaches. Topical application of capsaicin also helps to relieve them.

Cayenne pepper is a source of beta-carotene which is helpful in reducing symptoms of asthma.

Vitamin A, or beta-carotene, in cayenne pepper, gives protection against invading pathogens by helping the development of healthy mucus membranes in the nasal passage, lungs and urinary tracts, thereby giving immunity to infections.

When added to food, cayenne helps weight loss due to aiding proper digestion. It also reduces excess appetite due to mal-absorption.

Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin that has the ability to prevent ulcers.

Beta-carotene contained in cayenne pepper works as a good antioxidant that prevents or repairs the damages caused by free radicals, helping prevent atherosclerosis and colon cancer.

Cayenne is also very effective in relieving diabetic complications like nerve damage and heart disease. It gives temporary relief of pain from psoriasis, herpes zoster, neuralgia, and toothache.

Sources included:
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.c...
http://www.earthclinic.com/Remedies...
http://www.organicfacts.net/health-...

Warning: Imaging Tests Can Damage Kidneys, Increase Stroke and Heart Attack Risk

2009-10-14T09:55:00.001+07:00

No matter what your health complaint is, if you go see your doctor you might end up undergoing some kind of high tech imaging procedure such as cardiac angiography, CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). According to a study published last fall in the journal Health Affairs, medical imaging has soared over the last few years across all types of these tests, doubling the annual medical cost per patient. In fact, the study confirmed previous reports that patients are far-too-often being subjected to unnecessary imaging.

At least, most of these tests are minimally invasive and thoroughly studied to make sure they carry few risks so they are safe, right? Unfortunately, the answer is no. New reports of lasting, health-harming effects from some imaging tests are accumulating. A case in point: a new study just published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology (CJASN) warns that seemingly minor and reversible kidney damage injury which can arise after undergoing certain common medical imaging procedures is a serious health threat. The reason? It is linked to a greatly increased risk of stroke, heart attack and death.

University of Vermont physician Richard Solomon,MD, and his colleagues investigated 294 patients with kidney disease who were exposed to contrast agents during cardiac angiography. Patients in this study, dubbed the CARE (Cardiac Angiography in REnally Impaired Patients) trial, were randomly divided with half receiving the contrast agent iopamidol and the other receiving the contrast agent iodixanol.

Many medical imaging techniques, including cardiac angiography and CT scans, often involve the use of contrast agents, substances that contain iodine (like iopamidol and iodixanol) and barium, because they enhance the contrast between body structures or fluids within the body. This allows blood vessels and changes in tissues to be more clearly visualized.

When Dr. Solomon and his colleagues followed the CARE patients for one year or longer, they found that 92 (31 percent) of the research subjects experienced negative health effects after their imaging test. Their risk of having a stroke or heart attack over the next year or two after the test was elevated. Overall, 38 (13 percent) of the patients experienced a major event, such as death, stroke, heart attack, or end-stage renal disease. Those who developed contrast-induced kidney injuries had twice as many long-term negative health effects compared with patients who didn't suffer kidney damage.

It isn't only people who already have problems with their kidneys who can be at risk from the imaging testing,either. Doctors have long known exposure to contrast agents can cause damage in seemingly healthy kidneys, but patients are usually assured this is just a temporary side effect that will resolve on its own. However, recent studies have suggested that contrast-induced kidney damage might actually be lasting and serious. In a statement to the media, the University of Vermont researchers said "the CARE trial findings should prompt investigators to design additional studies on the long-term negative health effects of contrast-induced kidney damage".

In addition to kidney damage, the contrast agent iopamidol has also been known to sometimes cause seizures in people with a history of epilepsy. However, in rare case reports, including one published earlier this year in the Internet Journal of Neurology, iopamidol has been found to cause severe seizures and respiratory arrest in non-epileptic patients undergoing imaging tests.

As reported in Natural News last April (http://www.naturalnews.com/026001.html), the use of contrast agents isn't the only potentially dangerous downside to some common imaging procedures. A study in the medical journal Radiology found that people who had numerous CT scans over their lifetime had a significantly increased risk of cancer. In fact, CT scans increased the risk of cancer by 2.7 to 12 percent.

For more information:
http://cjasn.asnjournals.org/
http://www.ispub.com/journal/the_in...
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dr...

Routine Consumption of Aspirin to Prevent Heart Attacks and Strokes "A Big Lie"

2009-10-14T09:53:00.003+07:00

Taking an aspirin a day appears to increase a person's risk of dangerous gastric bleeding as much as it decreases their risk of heart attack or stroke, researchers have found.

"We don't have good evidence that, for healthy people, the benefits of long-term aspirin exceed the risks by an appropriate margin," said lead researcher Colin Baigent, of the Clinical Trial Service Unit at Oxford University.

Health experts have been recommending for more than a decade that people considered at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (due to high blood pressure or cholesterol, obesity, advanced age or other risk factors) take one aspirin pill per day, as the medicine has been clinically shown to reduce the risk of serious vascular events in those people. This strategy -- treating people with no symptoms of heart disease -- is known as "primary prevention."

A serious vascular event is a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death.

Many health agencies have shied away from issuing official recommendations, however, such as the United Kingdom's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

"There is no definitive guidance," said Steve Field, chair of the Royal College of
General Practitioners, "and it makes it bewildering when you have a series of papers which then hint it would be beneficial to take aspirin."

According to Field, many patients are attracted to aspirin as a way to stave off heart attacks because the over-the-counter pills are very inexpensive.

But the findings of the newest study, published in The Lancet, suggest that the risks of aspirin match the benefits in cases of primary prevention. Only in patients who have already had a heart attack or stroke does the benefit appear to outweigh the risk.

"This important study does suggest people shouldn't take aspirin unless indicated by disease," Field said.

While primary prevention recommendations have been based on estimated risks and benefits of aspirin treatments, the current study actually analyzed the effects of the treatment in 22 studies involving more than 100,000 participants. Six of the studies involved 95,000 people with a low to average risk of heart attack or stroke -- the typical primary prevention population -- and the other 16 involved 17,000 people who had already experienced at least one heart attack or stroke.

In both groups, taking an aspirin a day decreased the risk of a serious vascular event by about 20 percent in both men and women. It also increased the risk of gastric bleeding by about 33 percent.

In the lower-risk group, this came out to five fewer serious vascular events each year per 10,000 people taking a daily aspirin. It also meant three extra cases of gastric bleeding, however, and one extra stroke caused by internal bleeding. This led the researchers to conclude that the risks and benefits of the treatment were equivalent.

The results might be explained by the fact that people at increased risk of cardiovascular disease also tend to be at higher risk of gastric bleeding.

Because people who had already experienced a heart attack or stroke had such a heightened risk of further vascular events, however, the benefits exceeded the risks in that group -- roughly 150 serious vascular events prevented per year for every 10,000 people treated, with the same three extra gastric bleeds and one stroke from bleeding.

Fish Oil Benefits Even After Heart Attack, New Study Finds

2009-10-14T09:52:00.001+07:00

Study after study over the past decade has come up with the same conclusion: omega-3 fatty acids from fish or fish oil supplements decrease the risk of atherosclerosis, potentially deadly arrhythmias, heart attacks and sudden cardiac death. Omega-3 fats have also been found to reduce heart failure death by about nine percent in patients with grave prognoses. But what about people with serious heart disease who have already had heart attacks. Is there any hope omega-3s can help their cardiovascular (CV) health, too? A new study of tens of thousands of patients shows the answer is a resounding "yes".

The research, just published in the August 11, 2009, issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, is so conclusive, in fact, that the scientists who conducted the study are suggesting that everyone should consume omega-3s daily for heart health.

"This isn't just hype; we now have tremendous and compelling evidence from very large studies, some dating back 20 and 30 years, that demonstrate the protective benefits of omega-3 fish oil in multiple aspects of preventive cardiology," Dr. Carl Lavie, medical director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Prevention at the Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans and lead author of the article, said in a statement to the media. "The strongest evidence of a cardioprotective effect of omega-3s appears in patients with established cardiovascular disease and following a heart attack with up to a 30 percent reduction in CV-related death."

The researchers point out that most of the evidence for the cardioprotective benefits involves DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), the long-chain fatty acids in the omega-3 family. Studies have shown a reduction in cardiovascular events is inversely related to the tissue levels of EPA and DHA. Apparently, EPA and DHA work synergistically, moving inside the membranes of cells. This is believed to help stabilize any plaque in arteries, improve the heart's electrical activity, normalize vascular tone, and reduce blood pressure, among other benefits.

Based on their research and the fact the human body doesn't produce its own essential fatty acids, Dr. Lavie and his research team are now recommending that healthy individuals should consume 500 mg daily of omega-3 fish oil containing EPA and DHA. They add that people already known to have heart disease or heart failure should take more -- about 800 to 1,000 mg every day.

"There are clear health and heart benefits associated with increasing one's intake of foods that are rich in omega-3s, including oily fish like salmon, sardines, trout, herring, and oysters," Dr. Lavie stated. "Patients should talk with their doctors about whether a fish oil supplement is needed to get the right amount and, in turn, benefit from the associated cardiovascular protection."

But what about the recent study that showed omega-3 fatty acids did nothing to help patients after heart attacks? Dr. Lavie explained that particular research only looked at low-risk patients already receiving extensive and rigorous post-heart attack therapies. "It was a one-year study that enrolled fewer than 4,000 patients and the majority were using aspirin, clopidogrel, statins, beta-blockers and ACE-inhibitors-the best of modern medicine," he said in the press statement. "It may be that their risk was so low to start, that a larger study with longer follow-up would be required to better assess the true efficacy of omega-3 in such relatively low-risk patients."

For more information on the health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids:
http://www.naturalnews.com/026383_h...
http://www.naturalnews.com/025542_h...
http://www.naturalnews.com/025518_o...
http://www.naturalnews.com/025138_d...

Chemotherapy and Cancer the, dreaded words that People Fear

2009-10-13T21:39:00.002+07:00

Chemotherapy is a process by which cancer patients are treated and given medications in the form of pills, tablets and liquids. Oral chemotherapy is taken through the mouth and doesn't involve being injected in the body. Some Chemotherapy medications are taken orally while others need to be injected in the body. Medication is injected because some of them can be toxic if taken orally. Oral Chemotherapy can be taken at home and you don't need to be hospitalized for it while people who need chemotherapy drugs to be injected intravenously need to be hospitalized. Chemotherapy treatment is given in cycles so that the healthy cells are not harmed in the process and the cancerous cells are killed. Some cancer patients are given chemotherapy daily while some are treated weekly. It all depends on the stage of your cancer.
It's always best to know before hand the name of the drug and how it works so that you can easily consider all the side effects and prepare yourself on how to handle them. Whatever you do, never miss out on your chemotherapy medications as it is very important to follow the full course of medication according to the doctor's prescription. Some people start throwing up during their chemotherapy so you need to be well prepared for the side effects.
Most people have a fear of chemotherapy because of its uncomfortable side effects but over the past few years side effects management has gone along way in reducing its effects and handling them in a way as to cause the least discomfort. Nearly all cancer patients in some stage of their treatment undergo chemotherapy and you can easily achieve a successful outcome if you have the basic knowledge about all the side effects associated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is also considered a systematic treatment and it helps treat cancer effectively enabling the cancer patients to enjoy a productive life.
Effectiveness of Chemotherapy:
Your doctor knows which treatment will work best for you and he will also be able to measure the potential benefits of chemotherapy against the risks of treatment. At times doctors recommend the cancer patients to take Chemotherapy treatment away from home as with family and friends the treatment may be prolonged and may turn out uncomfortable.
Chemotherapy induces low white blood cell counts due to the fact that healthy cells are also lost during the process of Chemotherapy. But a low white blood cell count can also disrupt your treatment.

Safety Measures to Prevent Colon Cancer

2009-10-13T21:38:00.000+07:00

The digestive system is an integral part of the human body. It helps a person to digest food and extract the required minerals and vitamins from it. Colon is the last part of the digestive system. It plays a major role in removing and processing nutrients (mineral, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water) before removing them from the body. Probability of developing colon cancer is most likely to increase if a person does not take proper nutrition or doesn't have scheduled and regular colonoscopies from time to time (at least every 5 years) especially if there is a history of colon cancer in the family.

There are several ways to keep you healthy and safe from colon cancer. One should adopt these safety measures in order to avoid colon cancer and other deadly diseases. People who smoke, eat a lot of red meat, don't eat vegetables and are overweight increase their chances of getting colon cancer. A human body is what it eats. A person concerned with his health should always keep track of what he eats, the quantity, and the calories it contains along with the fat, proteins and nutrition, because what we eat determines our health in the long run. The recommended amount of calories or food can be determined by the size, height, age and weight of an individual. Once a person knows the suitable amount of calories he should take he should make sure to consume that amount. High consumption of fruits and vegetables can decrease the chances of getting colon cancer compared to the people who have meat as a large portion of their diets. Intake of green vegetables for example spinach, broccoli and right amount of protein, calcium, vitamins and fiber can help reduce the risk. Everyone (whether they have symptoms of colon cancer or not) should research which food can keep them healthy and safe from diseases like cancer and should make sure that they develop a habit of consuming them on a daily basis. Statistics show a death toll of 52,000 (from colon cancer) in 2007, in the U.S. alone.

Colon cancer is the third most common form of cancer. It is imperative that we take as many precautions as we can in order to avoid it. Another important preventive measure that we should adopt is to have regular cleansing and flushing of our digestive tract. Cleansing the digestive system assures the cleansing of the colon. People use different herbal treatments, supplements or other therapies to cleanse their abdomen and the digestive tract.

The easiest and safest way to cleanse our digestive system is through water. Drinking water is the natural way of flushing your system and removing toxins from the body. If you want your bodies to be cleansed naturally without taking any extra treatment, then you need to drink at least eight 6oz glasses of alkaline ionized water every day. Alkaline ionized water is electrolyzed water and has antioxidants which no other water has. People who consume alkaline ionized water have more energy and are more efficient. Their bodies are cleaner from the inside, as it helps in the flushing and detoxifying process and helps the oxygen reach the cellular system quicker, boosting our energy levels. An immediate detoxification flush can also be done by adding a few spoons of salt to warm alkaline ionized water. If a person drinks a big glass of salted alkaline ionized water and skips a meal right before drinking it, it will result in flushing out most of the toxins in the body. Drinking alkaline ionized water can serve as one of the vital techniques to keep your digestive system safe from colon cancer and other diseases.

How To Find Out Exactly What Kind Of Cancer Someone Has

2009-10-13T21:36:00.000+07:00

Your first instinct will be to want to know what you're up against -- and getting the most accurate and specific diagnosis enables the patient to get the best possible treatment.
You may find yourself wanting to get on the Internet and research the cancer, and to do that you'll need to know not only the type, but the stage, perhaps the subtype, and other information such as whether it's "in situ," which means the cells are limited to one spot, or "invasive," which means it has spread or has the potential to spread.
Within many general types of cancer, such as How do I get the doctor to give us complete and honest information? It may be that you need to do some research and then schedule a follow-up phone call in which you can ask additional questions. Remember, this is the beginning of an ongoing relationship between you as caregiver, the patient, and her doctor, and you can always come back to request additional information.

Although it's possible that the doctor has run every possible test and still can't locate the original cancer, there's also a chance he stopped short of conducting the full range of tests. These can include immunohistochemistry analysis, CT scans, MRIs and bone scans, blood tests for markers such as CA-125 (which suggests MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. You might even want to send slides to more than one pathologist -- in a case like this, the more information you have, the better off you are.

Resources:

Cancer Symptoms: A Beginner's Guide

2009-10-13T21:35:00.000+07:00

Cancer is much more likely to be curable if the symptoms are caught early. In fact, with certain types of cancer, such as ovarian and prostate cancer, early detection can make an enormous difference in prognosis and outcome. It's worthwhile to be hypervigilant, then, in watching for cancer symptoms and aggressive about asking for screening tests and checkups to make sure you and the people you care about are in good health -- and stay that way.
Here are symptoms of some of the most common cancers in those over age 55, along with important risk factors.

Difficulty urinating: either trouble getting started or weak or interrupted flow
The need to urinate often, particularly at night
Pain or burning during urination
Blood in urine or semen
Erection problems
Pain during ejaculation or difficulty ejaculating
Stiffness or pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs

Note: Many men -- more than half of those in their 60s -- suffer from benign prostatic hypertrophy, a set of symptoms similar to those for prostate cancer (in which the prostate becomes enlarged). This common condition is annoying, but it's neither a disease nor a life-threatening condition. Any male who has had prostate problems should have a regular PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test and be monitored for prostate cancer. Additional risk factors include a family history of prostate cancer or being African-American.

A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area
Tenderness in the breast or nipple
A change in breast or nipple shape
Nipple discharge
Red, swollen, or scaly skin on the breast or nipple

Note: Other factors that increase risk -- men can get breast cancer, too -- are family history (particularly breast cancer in the mother or sister), a diet high in saturated fat, obesity, early onset of menses or late menopause, being childless or being older at the birth of a first child, and taking hormones. A genetic mutation known as the BRCA gene (most common in those of Eastern European Jewish descent) greatly increases the risk of breast cancer, particularly when combined with a family history of the disease.

Constipation
Blood in the stool
Narrow or thin stools
Stomach cramps
Gas and bloating
Sense of fullness after eating small amounts
Nausea and vomiting

Note: Because many of the signs of colorectal cancer can easily be confused with the symptoms of some digestive disorders, it's important to monitor them carefully and inform the doctor if digestive problems reappear frequently, don't clear up quickly, or become chronic. For this reason, regular screening via colonoscopy for colorectal cancer is recommended for everyone over 50.
Having polyps removed from your colon or a history of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, puts you at increased risk for colorectal cancer. Family history is also important with colon cancer, as is race. African-Americans and Jews of Eastern European descent are at particular risk for colorectal cancer. Eating a diet high in animal fat and low in fruits and vegetables is also a risk factor.

Shortness of breath
Chronic cough
A change in a chronic cough
Pain or aching when coughing or breathing
Coughing up blood
Difficulty swallowing

Note: If you or someone you're caring for was or is a smoker, you'll want to bring this to the doctor's attention, even if it was a long time ago. Smoking for any period greatly increases the risk of lung cancer. Exposure to secondhand smoke and certain chemicals is also a risk factor.

Pelvic or abdominal pain
Bloating
Urgent need to urinate
Frequent urination
Trouble eating or feeling full quickly

Note: Family history is one of the most important risk factors for ovarian cancer. And those with the BRCA genetic mutation (most common in those of Eastern European Jewish descent) are at risk for ovarian cancer as well as breast cancer.

Loss of appetite
Unexplained weight loss
Fever
Fatigue
Jaundice
Nausea

Note: Sometimes a person shows signs of declining health but doesn't have pain or other symptoms in a particular area of the body. This can be a sign of cancer that started in one spot but has spread to the liver or other organs and is affecting overall health. Sometimes a tumor is discovered because it has grown big enough to press on other organs.

Resources:

Anti Cancer Superfoods: Do They Really Work?

2009-10-13T21:25:00.000+07:00

The short answer to this question is -- drum roll, please -- yes. They really do. While studies are ongoing, and in many cases experts still don't know exactly how these superfoods work, there's strong evidence that certain fruits and vegetables rich in plant-based nutrients can both prevent tumors from starting and halt their growth. Here, the top foods to work into the family diet if you'd like to cut cancer risk or help those with cancer recover. And who wouldn't?
The rich, dark colors of blueberries, Brazilian acai berries, raspberries and cranberries come from phytochemicals that protect against numerous types of cancer. Most recently, researchers at the University of Florida found that the active ingredient in acai berries destroyed cancer cells when tested in cell cultures. And blueberries and muscadine grapes contain compounds that recent research shows cause cancer cells in the liver to self-destruct. In studies particularly important to women, cranberries have recently been discovered to be an important weapon in the fight against deadly ovarian cancer. Studies reported at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society found that ovarian cancer cells that were becoming resistant to platinum chemotherapy -- the standard of care for ovarian cancer -- became six times more sensitive when exposed to a compound in cranberries.
The anti-cancer properties of all these berries are so strong that researchers have developing concentrated supplements and other products such as purees and concentrates.
One of the first plant-based chemicals to be studied for its anti-cancer properties, catechins -- the chemicals in green tea -- have been known for some time to prevent and reduce recurrence of breast and other cancers. With this particular chemical, experts even know why: a chemical known as EGCG inhibits breast tumor growth, a University of Mississippi study shows. Just two cups a day is enough to do the trick.
Numerous studies over the years (more than 30 different studies to date) have documented the anti-cancer properties of garlic. The strongest evidence so far has focused on digestive cancers, but garlic appears to protect against all types of cancer, including breast and prostate. According to the National Cancer Institute, an analysis of seven different large-scale population studies showed that the more raw and cooked garlic a person consumed, the lower his risk of stomach and colorectal cancer; one study found that middle-aged women who regularly consumed garlic had a 50 percent lower risk of developing colon cancer. Scientists have isolated two active ingredients in garlic, allicin and allyl sulfur, and demonstrated that they prevent and fight cancer in both animals and humans; you can take garlic in supplement form but the capsules must be enteric-coated to protect these active ingredients. Add crushed, fresh garlic to your meals whenever possible; some experts also recommend waiting 15 minutes between peeling and chopping the garlic to get the full effects of the active compounds.
British researchers made headlines last year with a study that showed that men with early signs of developing prostate cancer prevented tumor growth by eating broccoli four times a week. Other studies have shown anti-cancer benefits from eating cabbage, brussels sprouts, and other cruciferous vegetables.
According to the National Institutes of Health, studies of people from Southern Europe who eat a diet high in garlic and onions show a direct relationship between high consumption of "allium" vegetables (all types of garlic, onions, and leeks) and reduced risk of many common cancers.
Harvard researcher Edward Giovannucci reviewed 72 different studies published by the National Cancer Institute, and concluded that lycopene, the active chemical in tomatoes, lowered the risk of many different cancers, particularly prostate, breast, lung and colon cancer. Subsequently, the FDA conducted a review of its own and disagreed, refusing food companies' request to label tomato products with an anti-cancer health promotion message. However, many experts believe the FDA's process was flawed and that tomatoes will be vindicated by further studies. The good news: cooking tomatoes seems to enhance the effects of lycopene, qualifying tomato-based spaghetti sauce as a nutritional powerhouse. Bring on the pasta!
The hype about red wine centers on an antioxidant called resveratrol that's present in grapes and grape juice, but is most concentrated in red wine. Numerous studies show that resveratrol possesses powerful anti-cancer activity. Teams at several universities and cancer centers are studying resveratrol's effects against specific types of cancer. Most recently, a University of Nebraska study published in Cancer Prevention Research demonstrated that resveratrol suppresses the abnormal cell growth that leads to most types of breast cancer. Breast cancer is fueled by estrogen, and resveratrol acts to block the action of the estrogen, preventing it from feeding tumor growth. Previously, research conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham showed that mice fed a diet enriched with resveratrol had an 87 percent reduction in their risk of developing prostate tumors of the most dangerous kind.
The problem, however, is that higher alcohol intake has been linked to caner as well, particularly breast and esophageal cancer. The solution? One glass of red wine a day, unless you're at risk for or have one of these types of cancer, in which case a resveratrol supplement is a better idea.
The active ingredient in soy is genistein, which is a phytoestrogen that protects against hormone-dependent cancers. It's also a powerful inhibitor of several proteins that are implicated in the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells. To get the anti-cancer benefits of soy, you need to consume about 50 grams per day of the whole food, such as raw fresh soybeans, known as edamame, dry roasted soybeans, or tofu. The research to date shows that supplements containing isoflavones don't work with the same action as soybeans themselves and in fact can be bad for you rather than good.
The orange-yellow spice turmeric, best known for its role in Indian curries and other Asian dishes, fights cancer because of an active ingredient, curcumin, that's a powerful antioxidant. Researchers at Ohio State University in Columbus reviewed numerous animal studies and concluded that curcumin demonstrated anti-cancer effects at virtually all stages of tumor development. Researchers in France and Britain also have been studying curcumin's action in the laboratory and concluded that it prevents and slows tumor cell growth. The great news about turmeric is how easy it is to work into the diet, because you don't need very much. Add a teaspoon of the spice to soups, salad dressings, meat and pasta dishes and you'll reap the preventative effects.
Watch out, though; according to the American Cancer Society, turmeric made certain anti-cancer drugs less effective when studied in animals and test tubes. Cancer patients shouldn't add a lot of turmeric to their diets or take curcumin supplements without talking to their doctors first.
Okay watercress isn't exactly a major part of the American diet. But maybe it should be, according to researchers in Ireland, who released studies in the past two years showing that eating watercress everyday can prevent the DNA damage that leads to cancer. Research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition -- but conducted in Ulster where people are more comfortable eating watercress -- found that antioxidants in the nutrient-rich greens prevented free radicals from damaging healthy cells. Spinach, which we're all more familiar with, is also a cancer-fighter; research conducted by the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Texas showed spinach to protect against bladder cancer. The chemical that gives spinach its dark green color, chlorophyllin, proved to reduce the risk of liver cancer in research by the National Academy of Sciences. Who cares about muscles? Here's a much more important reason to eat your greens.
None of this is to say that an anti-cancer diet or nutritional supplements should be used in place of doctor-recommended treatments such as chemotherapy and Caring.com's cancer community like Joel MacDonald who are using nutrition to battle their disease and have interesting stories to tell, the experts in this field strongly recommend that those who've already been diagnosed with cancer use anti-cancer nutrients to bolster traditional medical cancer treatment, not to replace it.
A great resource for those interested in learning more about making dietary changes to prevent cancer or cancer recurrence is a new book, AntiCancer: A New Way of Life by David Servan-Schreiber, an MD, PhD, and professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. At the age of 31, Servan-Schreiber, one of the founders of Doctors Without Borders, had a brain tumor surgically removed. After exploring the research on the connections between diet and cancer, Serban-Schreiber embarked on a series of lifestyle changes that he credits with preventing his brain cancer from recurring. Two books by nutritional biochemist Richard Beliveau, Foods to Fight Cancer and Cooking with Foods That Fight Cancer, provide specific lists of foods and cooking suggestions that make following an anti-cancer diet straightforward and simple.
The list above is by no means comprehensive. Please comment and share your anti-cancer nutrition and diet ideas.

Resources:

Mesothelioma - What Are Your Chances After A Diagnosis?

2009-10-13T21:23:00.000+07:00

Mesothelioma is a rare, but brutal form of cancer. It is most often associated with exposure to asbestos at some point in your life, but can occur without such exposure. The question for most patients, however, is what are the chances of surviving this form of cancer?
It goes without saying that "chances" and percentages should be taken for what they are - an estimate. If something happens 9 out of 10 times, there is still a decent chance that you might be that 1 out of ten times. The survival rate of any cancer should be taken only as a guideline, not anything more than that. Patients beat cancer all the time and there is no reason that you can't either.
The survival rate with Mesothelioma is done on a five year projection. This simply means that the number of patients surviving the cancer are compared through each of the five years after diagnosis. For instance, 39 percent of patients diagnosed with Mesothelioma survive for more than a year. Unfortunately, the numbers go down from there with 20 percent surviving 2 years, 11 surviving three years, 10 percent surviving four years and 9 percent surviving 5 years. All and all, these are not great numbers.
So, let's ask the obvious question. Are you doomed if diagnosed with Mesothelioma? No! Mesothelioma has been studied significantly and a wide range of treatments have been tried over the years. As a result, there is no a fairly clear course of treatment - aggressive. Doctors know that they need to go for broke and Mesothelioma survival rates are actually going up compared to years ago. The key is to be positive and be ready to undergo aggressive surgery, radio therapy and chemotherapy.
It should also be noted that there are a host of new treatments going through FDA clinical trials. These treatments attack Mesothelioma in many different ways. As a person diagnosed with the disease, you can participate in the trials. You can contact the National Cancer Institute to get a list of trials being conducted.
If you have to get cancer, Mesothelioma is not really the one you want. That being said, it is no longer an automatic death sentence. Be positive and demand aggressive treatment. Get a referral to a Mesothelioma specialist to ensure you are getting the latest treatments possible. People survive and you can as well.

Ensure Your Baby's Health With Vitamins

2009-10-13T21:20:00.002+07:00

One of the most exciting times in a woman's life is finding that there will be a new life coming their way in nine months. Although pregnancy is a wonderful phase, it can also be very tricky to ensure the mother-to-be and baby's health. Doctors and nutritionists alike believe that taking vitamins and supplements while pregnant can ensure optimum health for the growing child and mother.
Why take vitamins during pregnancy? When women find out they are pregnant, it's very likely that they can be weeks or even months along in gestation. While the body is preparing for the birth, the nutritional intake of the mother often stays the same. Therefore, to ensure that the mother and baby's nutritional needs are met and the baby hits all its developmental key milestones (in relation to growth and formation) during the pregnancy, vitamins are an essential part of the mother's health regime.
Which vitamins are best to take? Before conception and in the early stages of pregnancy it is recommended to take 400 micrograms of folate or folic acid. This supplement is crucial for the baby's brain and spinal development and is said to prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida by up to 70%.
Another important supplement to consider taking while pregnant is iodine. This essential vitamin helps to develop your baby's nervous system, plays an important role in regulating your thyroid glands and in producing the thyroid hormone thyroxine, which regulates your metabolism.
As the baby grows into the later months, the blood supply will be increased and therefore anaemia can set in. To avoid this, organic iron supplements such as iron amino acid chelate can be beneficial, as is calcium, as the baby's bones are forming and will require the additional nutrients. If additional supplements are required, look for ones that also contain vitamin C as it aids in absorption. A non-acidic vitamin C such as calcium ascorbate is more gentle on the stomach.
It can sometimes be difficult to maintain a balanced diet fit for pregnancy due to nutritional choices (being vegetarian or vegan), allergies or just not having the time. In these cases, a multi-vitamin can lift the mother's nutritional intake. However, choosing a pregnancy multi-vitamin as opposed to a regular woman's multi-vitamin is preferred as they often contain more iron and folate and have lower levels of vitamin A which can be potentially harmful to the unborn child.
Finally, it is important throughout the pregnancy to listen to your doctor and your body. Not only is your body going through an immense change, but so is the baby. The nutritional plan that is followed during the pregnancy can often impact the baby, not only whilst in the womb, but for years to come. Make sure that every effort is taken to adhere to the doctor's advice and follow a well balanced, healthy diet and vitamin supplement plan.

Body Mind And Nutrition

2009-10-13T21:19:00.002+07:00

Everyone has heard the expression, "You are what you eat." This very simple saying means more and more each day as we gain a greater understanding about how foods affect us.

* The food you put into your body has an effect on your physical appearance, energy levels, bodily processes and how well your brain functions.

Your brain is a system of chemical connections firing off at each other so fast that it's almost impossible to fathom. Well, the food you eat affects the chemical make up of your brain, altering how it acts and works.

Feelings and emotions also affect your brain. Obviously feelings are born in the brain, and, depending on the emotion, they can alter the brain chemistry. For example, some people with mental health issues do not produce certain chemicals in their brain, which radically changes their behavior patterns.

There are things you can do to regulate this chemical reaction on a daily basis, and it's simpler than you may think! Eating certain foods can specifically affect different functions of the body, the chemicals in your brain, and your emotions.

Here are some healthy foods you can eat to help optimize both your body and mind:

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Eating foods high in Omega-3s has a great deal of health benefits, including improving your brain's development and functions. The Omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, is an important polyunsaturated fat found in the brain.

* Fish is a great source of Omega-3 Fatty acids, including DHA.

2. Choline. Choline is a chemical building block of every cell in your body. Choline has also been shown to help with retaining information in your memory. The more choline your lifetime diet includes, the less likely you'll be to face extreme memory loss as you grow older.

* Eggs yolks have a high concentration of choline in them.

3. Antioxidants. We all recognize the health benefits of antioxidants in fighting diseases, but did you know a cup of hot cocoa has a higher concentration of antioxidants in it than either red wine or green tea? It's true - as long as you use a dark chocolate.

* Serve a cup of rich dark hot cocoa after dinner, and know you're actually taking good care of your health!

4. Green Tea. Have a glass of green tea every day to help keep the cognitive functions of your brain in tiptop shape. Studies have shown 70% of people who drank green tea showed an improvement in the functions of the brain.

5. Cranberry Juice. This beverage is not only good for your body, specifically, kidney and urinary functions, but it can also help prevent a stroke. Cranberry juice has also been shown to help reduce brain cell damage after a stroke.

Eating a well balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, protein, and some fat is the best way to nourish both the body and mind. Our bodies are highly complicated machines requiring many different things to function properly, and what we eat determines how it functions.

By taking simple steps to optimize your nutrition, you'll also optimize your mind and body. Start making healthy, nutritious food choices today and enjoy looking, feeling, and thinking better.

If you enjoyed this article you may also enjoy reading about harley davidson clothing at our new website all about harley davidson accessories.

Eat Raw Food To Live Longer And Beat Disease

2009-10-13T21:18:00.000+07:00

Many of us see articles every week in newspapers, magazines or TV telling us about the benefits of raw foods for our health and well-being. No matter how you consume it, in salads or as a delicious smoothie, the experts all agree that raw food is healthy and full of great nutrients.
What many people don't realise is the importance of food to their immune system and general body function. Raw food has many of the essential ingredients for a long and healthy life. Here are some reasons for you to add more raw food to your diet.
Increased Enzyme levels.
All our cells need enzymes to kick-start all the essential functions they undertake such as fighting off disease. Cooking food often destroys these enzymes. Eating it raw allows them to both help you digest your food and enter your body and encourage the best possible efficiency in organ function.
Reduced Mold
Cooked vegetables you put in the fridge for a day or two can start growing mold. This is at the very least a bit of a challenge to the good, healthy bacteria in your gut when you eat the older veg. Fresh fruit and veg avoids this potential problem.
Less Washing
If you're not preparing and cooking food, then usually you have less to wash up. With raw uncooked food you usually just wash your knives and perhaps juicer if you take smoothies but that's all.

Improved nutritional Intake
Eating fresh fruit and vegetables maximises your nutrient intake. Chewing, unlike cooking destroys nothing! Even a short, light steam breaks down and destroys some nutrients. Longer cooking times breaks down even more.
Decreased potential toxicity
As well as breaking down nutrients, cooking can also produce some unpleasant chemicals, which are potentially harmful. For example at high temperatures many vegetable oils break down. If the cooking temperature used for meat is too extreme harmful, potentially toxic metabolites are formed which can damage your cells.
Immune System Boosted.
Quite a few people have found after switching to a diet containing far more raw food hat their on-going long tern medical problems have eased. This is probably a combination of reasons for this. Cutting out processed food and intensively farmed meat reduces the amount of chemicals your taking on board. Eating more raw food dramatically increases the nutrients you need for far better immune system and general body functioning.

Can bring on healing.
Switching to an all-raw food diet has enabled some people to heal themselves from chronic diseases and degenerative conditions of all kinds. This is likely due to two factors: one, cutting out processed foods and carcinogenic factory-farmed meat from the diet; and two, getting a fuller supply of much-needed nutrients and enzymes in their system.
So there you have it. It is entirely within your own control to eat more fresh, raw food and really boost your health and well-being. It costs less than processed food and you'll feel so much better in just a few days.

What Are You Eating?

2009-10-13T21:17:00.000+07:00

Do you know what ingredients are in your food? If you're not sure, take a peek. If you are eating lots of pre-processed foods you are not eating healthy.
Don't Eat What You Don't Know
A good rule of thumb is if you don't know what it is, and can't pronounce it, don't eat it! Read food labels and see if your food falls into this realm. Do your eyes glaze over trying to figure out those long chemical names? Then it's not healthy for you to eat. Put it back and go to the produce section. If you need a masters in chemistry to know your food, you're eating the wrong stuff.
Shorter Ingredient Lists
I read labels. I like to know what I'm eating, and you should too. Look for short ingredient lists. The longer the list, the more unhealthy. It makes sense. What sounds healthier? Cheese, milk, whey; or water, high fructose corn syrup, cheese product, powdered milk, x as a preservative, etc.?
Processed Food
Processing is bad for your food, and processed food is bad for you. It removes the nutrition that existed before the factory. TV dinners might be the worst. When I met my husband, he had a freezer full of them. They're quick and easy, but they taste disgusting, and are chocked full of chemicals and preservatives. They're not all that cheap, especially if you take into account the medical bills that result from an unhealthy diet. And what's the point of food that is processed and then has chemicals added back to it, i.e. adding vitamins back to veggie meals that have been robbed of nutritional content? Go straight to the source. Eat real vegetables! They're great for you and there is no comparison when it comes to taste. Real food is the way to go.
Everyone should really know what they're eating, even if it's bad. At least be responsibly aware of it. Hopefully that awareness will prompt better food choices.

The Importance of Fruits and Vegetables in your daily diets

2009-10-13T21:15:00.000+07:00

The craze of fruit and vegetable diets has entered the health conscious age that we are a part of and people have come to accept fruits and vegetables as essentials in our daily diet. Different fruits and vegetables have different colors and they are also indicators of the healthy ingredients that they contain. People who have started these diet plans sure find it easy to control their food cravings and are also saving their snack money in the process as they get a fulfilled feeling and no longer need an extra snack.
God has showered us with different fruits and vegetables for our existence and only these can keep us healthy and fit so it sure is time to start experimenting with each and every fruit and vegetable and becoming healthy in the process.
People are aware of the importance of fruit and vegetables in our diet plans as they provide and cure us from many diseases and also try to keep us healthy in the process. The most effective way to keep healthy is by increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are the best choice of anti oxidants that keep you hydrated and also help in getting rid of the entire toxins in your body. You can also get all the essential vitamins and elements that are required for healthy living from the different vegetables and fruits.
Fruits and vegetables contain important vitamins that one cannot find in just another medical store. By increasing the intake of natural foods in your diet, it will also help you to get strong enough and enhance your immunity against many diseases like cancer.
Fruits and vegetables come in a variety of colors and flavors and you can start by eating all the different colors as each natural food has been god gifted with lots of beneficial qualities. Over cooking vegetables destroy there essential nutrients that make up the healthy parts, so we should be very careful not to overcook them.
Eating fruit supplements is not the solution to your nutrent deficiency problems. What you can achieve by eating fresh fruits and vegetables you certainly can't get from the food supplements. Fruits and vegetables provide you with many healthy nutrients. Berries for example, contain potent antioxidants which help to get rid of the free radicals in the body and slow down the aging process.
There are so many other natural and healthy benefits to eating at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, that I cannot list them all here. Get used to eating them often, and learn to be healthy.

Is Vitamin & Mineral Supplementation Necessary?

2009-10-13T21:13:00.000+07:00

There's been plenty happening in the news lately regarding the question of nutritional supplementation. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has to date recalled a total of 243 products manufactured by the company Pan Pharmaceuticals. (These were marketed under 25 brands in Singapore.) The danger of taking too many isolated vitamins and minerals is now being exposed. Many clients have asked for my opinion regarding this controversial topic. So the question remains. Is it necessary to take vitamin and mineral supplements?
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Did you know that there are more than 10,000 phytochemicals in a single piece of fruit or vegetable alone? Based on this fact, does it make sense to extract only 1 of these phytochemicals (such as Vitamin C for example) with the assumption that this isolated vitamin will have therapeutic value?
There is now overwhelming evidence that in order for these vitamins and minerals to produce the desired effect (eg: strengthening the immune system, protecting against against cancer and various diseases), they must work TOGETHER with their counterparts - in other words, the remaining 9, 999 *phytochemicals from that single piece of fruit or vegetable need to be present!
(NB: Scientists are yet to determine the role of thousands of these phytochemicals, having only officially labelled the main vitamins eg: Vit A,B,C,D, K etc) nb: "Phyto" = Plant.
Therefore what happens if we take a single vitamin or mineral over a long period of time? Invariably, it can produce toxicity in the body and this can manifest itself in a number of ways.
"BUT I THOUGHT VITAMINS AND MINERALS WERE SAFE?" A vitamin or mineral is not a whole food. Similarly in modern medicine, many widely used drugs are derived from a single plant chemical. Here again, drugs are toxic to the body and cause side effects as they do not simulate that which is found in nature.
WHAT ABOUT MULTIVITAMINS & MINERALS? DO THEY HAVE MERIT?" Recently I was amused to watch an advertisement for a nutritional supplement that claimed to have all the necessary vitamins & minerals necessary for good health. (from "A-Z" in fact) Surely this amazing nutritional supplement would contain thousands of phytochemicals? Not so. In fact, only 20 to be precise!
When producing multi vitamins and minerals scientists do not have the luxury of knowing the precise ratio of vitamins & minerals required for optimum health. However, we can find exactly the right ratio of these phytochemicals working synergistically with their counterparts in NATURE.
Therefore in my view, the best way to obtain a healthy balance of essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and their counterparts is to consume plenty of FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES.
ARE YOU EATING THE RECOMMENDED 5-9 SERVINGS OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES EVERY DAY? This is the recommendation from the cancer society if we wish to achieve good health. Researchers continue to find elements in fruits and vegetables- vitamins and other antioxidants, phytochemicals, minerals, enzymes and fibre that contribute to health and longevity in many ways.
Unfortunately, despite the growing medical evidence, only a small percentage of adults, and an even smaller percentage of children, eat at least 5 servings per day.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Whole foods in the form of fruits and vegetables, NOT isolated vitamins and minerals, promote health and vitality. These are our weapons against disease as they keep our immune systems strong. Make sure to get your share!

Oral Acne Medication Options

2009-10-13T21:10:00.000+07:00

At the onslaught of puberty, many teens suffer from various radical changes - physical, physiological, emotional.. you name it! Of course, one of the most apparent transformations is that of the physical changes. Aside from the males developing more muscles and moustache and females developing their breasts and hips, there's this one change that commonly annoys an enormous portion of the adolescent population. Acne vulgaris!
Acne vulgaris is also known as acne or pimples in more common terms. Overproduction of oil that suddenly happens to teenagers and sensitivity to dirt are the precursor to this menacing skin disorder. But those two or their combination are not the only cause of breakouts. Many other factors could trigger acne. Genes, weather conditions and certain substances from food may set off the invasion or just the presence of acne.
Dermatologists and researchers have been trying to discover the best acne medication. Acne, no matter how miniscule a disorder it may seem, needs adequate attention. These tiny bumps on one's face could elicit major effects on a person. Not only vanity motivates experts to find or formulate the most excellent acne medication. Ridicule for having a pockmarked complexion is often one of the leading causes of low self-esteem among adolescents. What's worse is that this lack of confidence may be brought until one reaches his maturity.
The most recent forms of acne medication are the following:
Oral Antibiotic Acne Medication. This type of medication should always be mediated by consulting a physician. Various acne medication antibiotics that may be taken by mouth are supported by researches. Assorted antibiotics that act as acne medication are intended for moderate, severe to persistent types of acne. It is very important that a doctor is asked first on which antibiotics for acne medication is right for you.
Cortiscosteroids. Very severe acne may be prescribed with this acne medication antibiotic. This potent antibiotic is usually taken in a short span of time only. They have metabolic effects that make them inappropriate for long-term use.
Oral Tetracycline. This antibiotic is one of the most popular oral acne medications. Moderate to severe acne may be treated with an initial dose of 500 to 1000 mg per day in a decreasing dosage as skin condition improvement is noted. This antibiotic is not for the pregnant women since it can cause skeletal defects to fetus. Children with age of under 8 years are also not advised to be given this medication.
Oral Minocycline and Doxycycline. These acne medications in the form of antibiotics are only derived from tetracycline. Research evidences tell that these acne medications are more effective than tetracycline. Doxycycline is reported to induce sunlight sensitivity. Both are advised not to be taken by pregnant women.
Oral Erythromycin. This antibiotic that serve as an acne medication may be taken as an alternative to tetracycline since it is safer for pregnant women and young children.
Isotretinoin. This acne medication antibiotic is said to revolutionize acne treatment due to its potent effect in dealing with severe and treatment-resistant acne. Reports has it that isotretinoin is very effective in treating all forms of acne. But it should be noted that many side affects are also attributed to isotretinoin. This includes severe birth defects to a fetus, dryness of the skin and mucous membranes. Therefore, pregnant women, breastfeeding women or those who are planning to become pregnant must not take isotretinoin as a form of acne medication.

Take Forzest and cure ED fast

2009-10-13T21:08:00.000+07:00

Forzest also known as tadalafil is a tablet used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. It can help men who have erectile dysfunction get and sustain an erection when they are sexually excited. One does not get an erection just by taking this medicine. It helps a man to get an erection only when he is sexually excited. It is in a class of medications known as PDE-5 inhibitors, which are used to treat the cases of male impotence. This is launched by the Ranbaxy. It is an emerging oral treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) and a famous generic viagra alternative. It can help men who have erectile dysfunction problems. It is the guaranteed solution for the erectile dysfunction in men. It is the generic version of Cialis that treats erectile dysfunction with same efficacy like Cialis. It improves the erectile function in men who are unable to get or hold the erection during the sexual activity. Tadalafil is the main ingredient of Forzest that acts against the erectile dysfunction. It is beneficial than Viagra as its effect lasts for about 36 hours, It treats the erectile dysfunction irrespective of the age of the patient. It works as the restrain the activity of the enzyme phosphodiesterase 5 that reduces the blood supply to the penis.Next; it stimulates the production of the enzyme cyclic guanoyl monophosphatase that improves the blood supply to the penis during the sexual activity. This drug then allows the men get the hard and strong erection. As a result of this the penis gets erect and the arteries and veins in the penis become blocked. This allows the blood to stay for the long time in the penis, which ultimately helps the men to hold the erection for the sufficient time during the sexual copulation. The recommended dose is 10 mg taken prior to anticipated sexual activity and without regard to food. In those patients in whom Forzest 10 mg does not produce an adequate effect, 20 mg might be tried. Tadalafil may improve erectile function up to 36 hours following dosing. Therefore, when advising patients on optimal use of Forzest; this should be taken into consideration. The maximum recommended dosing frequency is once per day. Daily use of the medication is strongly discouraged because the long-term safety after prolonged daily dosing has not been established. Ask your doctor if your heart is healthy enough for sexual activity. If you take any medicines that contain nitrates - either regularly or as needed - you should never take this drug. If you take this drug with any nitrate medicine or recreational drug containing nitrates, your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe level. You could get dizzy, faint, or even have a heart attack or stroke. Nitrates are found in many prescription medicines that are used to treat angina (chest pain due to heart disease) such as: nitro-glycerine (sprays, ointments, skin patches or pastes, and tablets that are swallowed or dissolved in the mouth) isosorbide Mononitrate and isosorbide dinitrate (tablets that are swallowed, chewed, or dissolved in the mouth) Nitrates are also found in recreational drugs such as amyl nitrate or nitrite ("poppers").

The Effective Hemorrhoid Cure Lies With Treating The Root Cause Not The Symptom

2009-10-13T21:06:00.000+07:00

Modern medicine in my opinion seems to take the approach of treating symptomatic issues rather than the root cause of the hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid sufferers often undergo the painful route of hemorrhoid surgery or hemorrhoid laser surgery, both of which are expensive and invasive. The matter of fact is that whilst these may eliminate the hemorrhoids as a result of surgery they often come back, with more severe symptoms following hemorrhoid surgery - a relapse.
To find out about the new hemorrhoid cure, click on the link below http://www.hemorrhoidreliefsecret.info
The same applies to over the counter medication which you can buy or have prescribed for treating hemorrhoid symptoms. In my experience creams and gels such as application H are highly effective and you will notice an immediate soothing benefit to your hemorrhoids, it is often short lived.
Hemorrhoids can be as a result of in in-balance, unhealthy lifestyle or sometimes can appear through no apparent reason at all. The key to successful hemorrhoid treatment is to ensure that you not only live a healthy lifestyle but follow the following hints and tips which have helped me:
LOTS of fibre - I cannot stress this enough. Fibre makes going to the toilet easier because it loosens the stool which means that less straining is required during bowel movement. fibre in your diet can be taken through bran, muesli, vegetables, all the healthy stuff! If you cant take enough fibre then get fibre supplements from your local chemist or pharmacy.
DRINK water, water is great for bowel movement as it keeps the body hydrated as well as ensure overall wellbeing.
AVOID tight clothing around your abdominal area as the additional pressure which is exerted on your anal cavity can also result in hemorrhoids.
PREGNANCY can commonly cause hemorrhoids because of the added pressure on your rectal area and increase blood flow through the body.
OVERWEIGHT and OBESITY can also cause hemorrhoids due to the added weight and pressure on the rectal area. Maintaining a balanced diet is not only important for a balanced lifestyle but will also contribute to the cure and remedial action against hemorrhoids.
If you already suffer from hemorrhoids, before I go into the detail of the cure I recommend here are some interim methods which I used which help against the burning, itching and pain commonly associated to internal and external hemorrhoids:
ALOE VERA gel instantly smoothes and relieves the itching and burning sensation from hemorrhoids.
WITCH HAZEL also provides instant relief when soaked in warm water and applied to the affected area, if you are experiencing anal or rectal bleeding it is however recommended that you don't use this remedy as it may cause further inflammation.
SITZ BATH, invest in one of these they work wonders! Use these in conjunction with one of the herbal remedies, ie, witch hazel or aloe vera for instant relief.
A new hemorrhoid cure has been developed by an ex hemorrhoid sufferer which I started to use last year. Her name is Holly and she developed this cure after years of pain and suffering as a result of her own hemorrhoid condition. She focuses on taking a holistic and natural approach geared towards the root cause of your hemorrhoids so you can eliminate them forever.
Testimonials state that in some instances the treatment has worked in as little as four days, mine however, took slightly longer just under two weeks.
All I can say is that you must try this, it works FOR GOOD and has changed my life - thank you Holly!!
Visit HOlly's site here: http://www.hemorrhoidreliefsecret.info

The importance of the Pulse Oximetry

2009-10-13T21:04:00.002+07:00

Pulse oximetry is based on the principle that oxygen is carried in the bloodstream, bound primarily to hemoglobin, according to E. Hill and Stoneham, M.D. One molecule of hemoglobin can carry up to four molecules of oxygen - a 100 percent saturation level. Light is absorbed at two different wavelengths by the hemoglobin. The absorption rate differs, depending on the degree of oxygenation. As the light passes through tissues, it has a pulsatile component. The oximeter measures:

The oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in arterial blood.
The pulse rate in beats per minute.

Why Is a Pulse Oximeter Used?
Pulse oximeters provide a rapid indication of a patient's changing level of oxygenation. Since the level of oxygenation is continuously being monitored, pulse oximeters allow for clinical intervention before significant hypoxia, or low levels of blood oxygen, occurs. This is very important in situations where general anesthesia is being administered, since an anesthetic can deprive the body of the oxygen it needs. That is why many states require the use of a pulse oximeter while administering anesthesia.

A pulse oximeter can also be used to make sure Medicare patients, before beginning home oxygen therapy, meet certain clinical criteria. In addition, they are often used to monitor patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.

How it Works:
A pulse oximeter employs a peripheral probe and a microprocessor unit, which displays a waveform, the oxygen saturation and the pulse rate. Most units have an audible pulse tone. The pitch of the tone is proportional to the oxygen saturation level. The clinician or doctor places the probe on the patient's finger, ear lobe or nose.

The probes have two light-emitting diodes - one in the visible red spectrum (660 nm) and the other in the infrared spectrum (940 nm) - that pass through the body tissues to a photodetector. As the light beams pass through the tissues, light is absorbed by blood and soft tissue. The amount of light absorbed depends on the degree of oxygenation and hemoglobin within the tissues. Hill and Stoneham offer the following tips for optimal use of pulse oximetry:

Plug the oximeter into an electrical socket to recharge the batteries.
Turn on the unit and wait for it to go through calibration and check tests.
Select the correct probe with regard to size and use.
Avoid excess force when positioning the probe.
Allow several seconds for the pulse oximeter to detect the pulse and calculate the oxygen saturation.
Read off the displayed oxygen saturation and pulse rate.

Advances in Technology:
In the past four years, manufacturers have made strides in oximetry technology, according to a recent report by Anesthesi-ology News. For instance, Nellcor Puritan Bennett of Pleasanton, Calif., now makes a unit reported to provide accurate readings for adults and neonates during motion. Other models are designed to determine signals that could be mistaken for a pulse.

Another example is a model by Masimo Corp. of Irvine, Calif., which is designed to process the red and infrared signals. The company's Signal Extraction Technology (SET) employs digital signal processing, low-noise hardware and sensor technology designed to decrease the impact of ambient noise and non-arterial physiologic noise produced during motion.

Today, clinicians have more choices when it comes to pulse oximetry. An informed sales rep who understands the different technologies available can help his or her customers get the most accurate results, stay in compliance and increase the quality of care for the patient.

For more information please contact Medical Device Depot.

The convenience and accuracy of a Holter Heart Monitor

2009-10-13T21:03:00.000+07:00

A Holter monitor is a portable device for continuously monitoring the electrical activity of the heart for 24 hours or more. Its extended recording period is sometime useful for observing occasional cardiac arrhythmias that would be difficult to identify in a shorter period of time. For patients having more transient symptoms, a cardiac event monitor which can be worn for a month or more can be used.

Much like standard electrocardiography (ECG), the Holter monitor records electrical signals from the heart via a series of electrodes attached to the chest. These electrodes are connected to a small piece of equipment that is attached to the patient's belt, and is responsible for keeping a log of the heart's electrical activity throughout the recording period.

Breakthroughs in technology have reduced the size and weight of the recorders (making them easier for the patients to wear), reduced artifact in recording, increased memory capacity, drastically improved the diagnostic capabilities and automated much of the procedure. As a result, the procedure is being done not only by cardiologists, but by many primary care physicians as well.

What is Holter Monitoring and why is it performed?:

Holter monitoring, which is also referred to as ambulatory ECG, monitors a patient's heart during normal activity for 24 to 72 hours. The monitor, a small device that's worn by the patient, records every heartbeat during that time, increasing the chances that irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmia, can be detected. The monitor is attached to the patient with a multi-lead ECG cable. If the patient experiences any abnormal symptoms, such as chest pain or dizziness, an event button can be pushed that marks the event, so the technician or physician can view the heart's activity at that point in time. When the patient returns the monitor, it is disconnected and a report is generated via a computer or printer.

The report can help a physician detect poor blood flow to the heart muscle, indicating possible heart disease or a heart attack, can evaluate treatments (such as medication or a pacemaker) for irregular heartbeats, and assess cardiac function when the patient takes medication that might adversely affect the heart. Abnormal-ities are identified and trending graphs that show patterns of heart rate, ST segment level, and the frequency and patterns of arrhythmia, are produced. Based upon the results of the report, the physician will decide to seek more information or identify a path of treatment.

Indications for Holter Monitoring:

Syncope (fainting spells)
Weakness
Chest pain
Abnormal ECG
Post MI
Nausea accompanied by weakness
Dizziness

What type of Physicians perform Holters?

Family and general practitioners
Cardiologists
DOs
Internal medicine physicians

For more information please contact Medical Device Depot.

What's an ECG or EKG?

2009-10-13T21:00:00.000+07:00

An ECG or EKG measures the electrical impulses that control contraction and relaxation of the heart. The familiar waveform pattern is a visual record of the amount of voltage activity generated by the heart and the time required for that activity to travel through the heart. Most heart problems can be identified from the abnormalities in heart rate, rhythm and the ECG or EKG waveform pattern.

The ECG or EKG is one of the most common non-invasive tests performed in the physician office today with close to 38 million performed each year. The electrocardiograph is an essential diagnostic tool for virtually every family practitioner, general practitioner, internist, DO and cardiologist in the United States.

An ECG or EKG is usually done to screen patients for heart disease and to help diagnose coronary problems in high-risk or symptomatic patients. The American College of Cardiology recommends that all adults over 40 get tested every five years, but if you have high-risk then to be checked annually.

Available Modalities:

Stand-alone ECGs are traditional stand-alone, hard copy devices that perform ECGs only. Today, newer versions of the stand-alone technology are beginning to mimic PC-based ECGs with the ability to be connected with electronic medical records software or practice management systems.

PC Based EKGs are compact devices that plug directly into a PC allowing the operator to view live ECG tracings. These devices, in general, enable the user to record ECGs and provide automatic measurements, interpretations and manage patient records. Records are stored on a local PC, a remote central database, directly into an EMR or can be e-mailed to an out-of-network physician for review.

12-lead ECG or EKG is the standard for diagnostic ECGs. The instrument provides 12 different views of the heart. Usually 3 lines with 2.5 seconds of each lead and lead 2 rhythm strip at the bottom of the page.

Multi-Channel ECG or EKG is where the ECG can record 3, 4, 6 or 12 of the lead views at one time on 8 1/2 x 11" paper, for easy storage.

Indications for Performing an ECG or EKG:

Physical exam
Angina
Hypertension
Chest pain
Family history of heart disease
Baseline study
Preoperative screening
Exercise prescriptions

What Physicians use ECG's or EKGs?

Family and general practitioners
Cardiologists
DOs
Internal medicine physicians
Pediatricians
Surgery centers
Emergency clinics
Home health providers
Nursing home

For more information please contact Medical Device Depot.

Advanced Diagnosing with Medical Imaging Equipment

2009-10-13T20:56:00.000+07:00

If you or someone you love has been treated in the hospital recently, there's a good chance that medical imaging equipment played an important role in the diagnosis. Doctors and nurses rely on medical imaging equipment to determine what is ailing a patient and see how serious the condition is in order to move forward and decide upon the best course of treatment. Before medical imaging equipment was available, healthcare professionals had no choice but to rely on the symptoms and a few routine tests to figure out what was ailing a patient. Thank goodness imaging technology is available today.

Common medical imaging equipment includes medical resonance machines, ultrasound machines and x-ray machines. Medical resonance machines (or MRIs) are expensive machines used for several different kinds of body scans, which have powerful polarized magnets that excite water molecules in the body's tissue and produce a map of the inside of the body. Ultrasound machines use sound waves that are inaudible to the human ear to create a map of the human body by measuring the amount of time it takes for the wave to return to the machine. They are most commonly used during pregnancy, but they are also used in other situations. X-ray machines are the most common types of medical imaging equipment, which use electromagnetic radiation to take a quick black and white photo of the body beneath the skin.

There is no denying that medical imaging equipment has helped improve the practice of medicine greatly. Diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries is much more accurate and successful as a result. Other methods of diagnosing ailments, such as invasive surgery, can be painful and expensive. If it's possible to use medical imaging equipment to accurately diagnose a patient's condition it is always the most desirable option.

For more information please contact Medical Machines Online.

How to prevent mouth breathing during the night

2009-10-13T20:53:00.002+07:00

Mouth breathing drastically reduces body oxygenation: the amount of freely available oxygen in tissues is usually reduced almost two times when the person starts to breathe through the mouth, for example, during sleep. Epidemiological studies clearly proved that deaths from heart attacks, asthma, COPD, epilepsy, complications of diabetes, and many other chronic conditions most likely occur during early morning hours (from about 4 to 7 am). Clinical experience suggests that mouth breathing is the leading factor of these deaths. Apart from mortality statistic, symptoms of many conditions get much worse in the early morning. How to prevent negative effects of acute tissue hypoxia, that is the driving force for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and dozens of other diseases? In order to ensure nasal breathing during the night, in the 1960s Russian patients, practicing the Buteyko self-oxygenation breathing method, taught by MDs, invented mouth taping. First of all, it is necessary to find out, if one has this problem, by checking dryness in the mouth just after waking up in the morning. If the mouth is dry, the person had mouth breathing. It could begin when the person went to sleep or it could appear at 3 or 4 am. In any case, just 20-30 minutes of mouth-breathing resets the breathing centre, and such patients, as a ruler, have less than 20 s of oxygen in the body in the morning. (Oxygen content is found by measuring stress-free breath-holding time after usual exhalation: exhale normally and hold your breath, counting seconds using a watch, but only until initial signs of discomfort.)
For mouth taping one needs a surgical tape and cream to prevent the tape sticking. Both can be bought in the pharmacy. Micropore (or 3M) and Vaseline are popular choices. There is no need to use a very wide tape, 1 or 1.5 cm is sufficient. First, put a small amount of cream on the lips so that it is easy to remove the tape in the morning (some, but not many tapes, can be very sticky). Then take a small piece of tape, about 4-5 cm (or almost 2 inches) long, and stick it vertically, starting just under the nose and going across the closed mouth down to the chin. Some students prefer to put a wider it along or horizontally, but a short piece in the middle is sufficient. If you are afraid to "seal" your mouth completely, tape only one half (or one side) of the mouth leaving space for emergency breathing.
Taping one's mouth at night normally should be a temporary measure. When the body oxygenation is above 20-25 s in the morning, mouth taping is not necessary.
After some hours of sleep, very few people may find mouth taping is uncomfortable. But this happens only in cases, when parameters of sleep are not suitable for the human organism, for example, the blanket can be too warm, room temperature too high, air quality poor, etc. Sleeping on one's back is another factor that also intensifies breathing and drastically reduces body oxygenation creating discomfort, if the mouth is taped. My other articles explain the method "How to prevent sleeping on one's back", data regarding highest mortality rates and various complications during early morning hours.

How to Banish Pulsatile Tinnitus

2009-10-13T20:50:00.002+07:00

There are many types of Tinnitus suffered from different patients in the past decades and one of them is called the Pulsatile Tinnitus. In this article, you are going to discover what Pulsatile Tinnitus is about, what causes this condition and how to treat this condition with the best solution. At the end of this article, you will have a better idea whether or not this condition is one you are currently having right now. So what exactly is Pulsatile Tinnitus?
Pulsatile Tinnitus a type of Tinnitus where you are constantly hearing the sound of your heart pumping and the severity goes according to the speed your heart pumps. When your heart beat is normal, you will hear the beating sound to be very normal. Once you have had a run, as the heart beat pumps faster, the heart beating sound will also beat faster and the only thing you will hear is the annoying Tinnitus sound. In most cases, Pulsatile Tinnitus only happens to one ear alone.
No what causes this kind of condition exactly?
Studies show that there are usually two things that have direct relation to it. It is either the blood flow has become stronger or the blood vessel opening has become more and more narrow. As a result, the Tinnitus heart beating sound becomes so clear in your ears simply because the blood flow is so strong.
Unlike other Tinnitus condition, it has no direct relation or result from the ears itself. For example, it does not come from the exposure to excessive sound or intense sports. This condition has to do mainly with your blood vain and vessel that leads to the ability of the heart that pumps. Other factors would include the results of hypertension, tumors and atheroclerosis.
Now, when you have Pulsatile Tinnitus, you really need to take it seriously because this condition will bring you more than just the heart pumping sound going on your ears. Many cases in the past actually showed patients with this condition tend to have higher chance of stroke and brain disorders.
So how do you treat pulsatile Tinnitus?
Unfortunately, research actually shows that there is no cure for Tinnitus just yet. The American Tinnitus Association spends 5 million dollars per year just to invest in finding the cure but there is still no news yet.
However, one of the best ways to treat this frustrating condition is to consult your doctor for the best medicine and treatments. Many Tinnitus patients have used hearing aids, audio therapy, tinnitus masking, taking vitamins, going for surgeries and even home remedies to help banish Tinnitus. Find out what works best for you in order to reduce the severity of the condition.

Different Pain of Headaches

2009-10-13T20:49:00.000+07:00

Although medical science cannot pinpoint the exact cause of headaches in a patient, some of the most common causes can typically be blamed in the majority of cases. Headaches are broken down into three basic categories. A primary headache is something almost all people are familiar with. Primary headaches constitute the vast majority of headaches, and are almost never life threatening. Despite this frequency of occurence and a lack of life threatening danger, a primary headache can be very painful. Cluster headaches are a far more serious form of headache, that although not life threatening, can cause debilitating pain. Secondary headaches are caused by a structural or chemical problem in the brain. Most primary headaches are related to tension. The muscles that surround the skull sometimes contract, putting too much pressure on the head. This can cause a severe amount of pain. Although the reasons behind the contraction of cranial muscles are unknown, it is commonly seen as a result of emotional or physical stress. Significant emotional stress typically results in a contraction of the muscles, and therefore a tension related headache. Prolonged physical stress, such as extended manual labor, is also known to cause tension headaches.
Cluster headaches are a far rare occurence, and usually only afflict a tiny segment of the population. Patients typically see cluster headaches only in small time frames, thus the name "cluster" headache. This can make prevention and treatment difficult. When a cluster headache occurs, it can be accompanied by severe pain that focuses behind the eyes. Water running from the eyes and nose are common with cluster headaches. A cluster headache should be treated as soon as possible.
Secondary headaches occur as a symptom of a more serious problem. This occurs on a far rarer basis than primary headaches. A secondary headache can be indicative of internal bleeding in the brain, a tumor, or a malfunction of the brain. Headaches that occur frequently or on a regular basis should be cause for a check with the doctor. Secondary headaches can be quite painful, and may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sensory phenomenon.

Pancreatitis Diet Tips and Information

2009-10-13T20:47:00.002+07:00

Pancreas are specialized glands that secretes enzyme, that aids in digestion. For the body to digest fats, carbohydrates and proteins to be absorbed by the body, the pancreas plays a major role. They also release glucagons and insulin to the bloodstream. But once pancreas gets inflamed, one needs to do a pancreatic diet to prevent further damage. Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas. If the pancreas is inflamed, your body will not be able to absorb all the nutrients it needs. If you have or have just recovered from acute pancreatitis, there are several pancreatitis diets that you make take to stop the pancreatitis attacks. Vegetables are what dieticians recommend for pancreatitis by making vegetable juice or just by eating vegetables. Vegetables are a rich source of enzymes, vitamins and minerals that are necessary for curing pancreatitis moreover vegetables are rich in antioxidants as well. They have positive benefits on the body and pancreas, too.
A pancreatitis diet must NOT be rich in fat as they make the pancreas work harder as a result more attacks of pain. You might have recovered from pancreatitis; you will still suffer from pancreatitis attack if you eat too much fatty foods. Avoid French Fries that are dripping with oil (even vegetable oil) and try eating your potatoes baked as well. Grilled burgers should be avoided as well by all means.
If spicy foods are a favorite, you can't eat this anymore. Spicy foods trigger an attack in the pancreas most especially if you've just had pancreatitis. This is also true for all food and drink types that create gas inside the body. Caffeine like soda and other drinks must be avoided, too.
And just as an added benefit for a full pancreatitis diet, always include a nice serving of rice in every meal. You may also include salads in the diet if your pancreas is inflamed. Add cereals, oatmeal and bread for breakfast or snack. For added benefit, eat soy-based foods such as crème and milk, are an excellent source of antioxidants that helps avoid damage to the already damaged pancreas.
Do drink 6-8 glasses of water to flush out all allergens that may cause a pancreatic attack. Exercise moderately to keep the body going. Remember to eat a low fat diet, don't drink alcohol and avoid abdominal trauma to prevent further damage to the pancreas.

Diabetes - The Silent Killer

2009-10-13T20:41:00.000+07:00

My friend Jeff has type 1 diabetes. I've learned that sometimes diabetes takes your eyes or your limbs but in his case it took his kidneys. In 1997 he had a kidney transplant from his oldest sister, which lasted 2 years and rejected. Again in 1999, he received a donated kidney from his youngest sister. When we married in 2003 his kidney was still functioning well and he was leading a pretty normal life. Before we met, his doctor at Vanderbilt Medical Center convinced him to go on a pancreas transplant waiting list. Jeff and I had been married for 2 weeks when he got a phone call from Vanderbilt. We were cooking breakfast on a Sunday morning when his cell phone started ringing. I could tell by his tone that it was an important call but I never dreamed it was his doctor calling to say they had a pancreas waiting for him. He told me if I didn't want him to do it that he wouldn't. Until that statement, I was considering telling him I'd rather he didn't have the procedure done. But something clicked, and I immediately said "are you crazy, you've been waiting for this before you met me and I'm not going to stand in your way". Besides, at the time he was only 40 years old and deserved this chance that could be life changing. We were on a strict time frame so we threw a few things in a duffle bag and headed to Nashville (driving over 90mph I might ad)! The operation was a success and all of the sudden Jeff was no longer a diabetic. No more insulin, no more insulin reactions, no more meter, etc. It was the best 3 years of our lives.
One day he felt funny, checked his glucose level and it was very high. We left to see the doctor immediately, fearing that his pancreas was rejecting. The doctor ran a series of tests and his pancreas was rejecting. He was in the hospital for several days. They tried a number of different medicines some of them made him very sick. The only way to explain it would be to multiply any flu that you've had times 10. It was awful to watch him go through the sickness. None of the anti rejection meds worked and once again he was a diabetic. It took us a while to adjust back to the diabetes lifestyle but we managed. At the end of 2007, Jeff started having trouble breathing one night. I took him to the emergency room and they ran a lot of different tests. We then found out he had congestive heart failure and his kidney was shutting down. This was very hard to hear.
The cardiologist could not operate because the diabetes had caused too much damage to his heart and the loss of kidney function meant dialysis. We went to a heart doctor in Lexington for a 2nd opinion, hoping for the best, but he told us the same thing. Jeff went on dialysis and started declining from then on. We spent what seemed like hundreds of nights at the hospital for his congestive heart failure symptoms and then he started getting pneumonia on a regular basis. Honestly, there was little hope left when the doctor told us he was in end stage heart failure.
I decided that I was not giving up. I started researching heart failure online and came across a site that was talking about stem cells for the heart. My first thought was I bet this is a bunch of bull but went ahead and continued researching it. They were using stem cells from the patients own blood not embryonic. There were actually trials going on here in the states for this exact thing. I contacted all of the participating healthcare centers but nobody would take him in because he had diabetes. Jeff and I talked about it in length and decided to contact Dr. Zannos Grekos who was the one I had originally found when I first started researching. He was located in Florida, so that made us feel a bit better too. I sent all of his medical records there and the doctor contacted us and said he'd be willing to take his case. We finally had some hope again but the money was a big issue. The stem cell procedure was going to cost $64,500 and that wasn't counting any of the travel expenses. We got a loan against the house, his family helped and the church took up donations. We had the money and the hope of a better life. In May of this year (2009) we flew to Florida.
Jeff was very very weak and I honestly didn't know if he'd make the trip but we had to try. We arrived in Florida and the doctor admitted him into the hospital. After about a week, he had him feeling a bit better and ready for the blood drawl that had to be done for the stem cell procedure. The blood was taken in Florida and it took one week to get it back. The procedure itself cannot be done in the US because it is not FDA approved, so we had to fly to the Dominican Republic for the stem cell implantation. After three days in the Dominican we were back home in Kentucky. It takes 6-9 months for the stem cells to work. He's had his 3 month follow-up tests and his heart has improved some.
We are anxiously waiting to see if the stem cells will improve his heart enough for him to qualify for a kidney transplant and get off of dialysis. The dialysis is taking a toll on his heart but they will not put him on a heart transplant list due to his diabetes and they won't put him on a kidney transplant list due to his poor heart function, so this is our only shot!
My final thoughts: For those of you out there with type 1 or type 2 diabetes or who may be at risk, please take care of yourselves. Get checked and do what the doctors tell you to do. Unfortunately, there will come a time in the life of most diabetics where they will be faced with life or death decisions. My husband would be the first to tell you that he wished he had taken better care of himself and managed his diabetes more carefully. There is helpful information at http://www.LifeOrDeathWithDiabetes.com

Yeast Infection Home Remedy- Eliminate systemic yeast infection for good!

2009-10-13T20:38:00.000+07:00

It is easy to cure yeast infection with a home remedy. Unfortunately, many people who happens to get yeast candidiasis are ashamed by their disease and seek a convenient treatment from home. However, you may require to be sure you're suffering from yeast infection. This can be diagnosed easily by your doctor. However, systemic candida is a little more complex to cure and need more work from your side. For mild yeast infections you may require to apply some apple cider vinegar on the affected areas. Usually you mixed it with water and use it in a bath tube or as a douche. You should avoid drink any type of vinegar because is alkaline and keeps feed the yeast in your body.
Six of the best home made cure for yeast infections is a powerful natural anti-fungal which have been used for centuries. It is about garlic and its great properties. The best way to use garlic to kill yeast fungus is by eating it raw. Most of the people don't like using it in cooking or the taste of it, but is the best way to eliminate the yeast from your body. You can try taking garlic supplements, otherwise.
Another common anti-fungal used for fighting candida yeast is tea tree oil. Most of the time is used for all kind of fungal infections. A cool way to use it is by mixing it with some water, otherwise it may irritate your skin.
As you can see you can use many home remedies for yeast infection. However, sometimes you may notice that the yeast infections keep coming back. This means you're having chronic candidiasis and the best way to cure it is by eliminating the root of it. Yeast fungus can overgrow easily in your body, by changing your diet or lifestyle. You may require a more complex yeast infection home remedy to keep it under control and be candida free.

Foot Excessive Sweating- How to Get Rid of It

2009-10-13T20:36:00.000+07:00

Foot excessive sweating is a very embarrassing problem because you are prone to bacteria that can cause foul foot odor. This problem is not only embarrassing but it is also a great annoyance to the people around you. It is important to find a treatment that will get rid of your foot sweating problem.
People who have excessive sweating problems on specific parts of the body like the armpits, hands and feet are most likely suffering from a condition called hyperhidrosis. It is best to consult your doctor about your overactive sweat glands to know the best treatment that will work for you. There is nothing more embarrassing than suffering from foot excessive sweating especially if it is accompanied by foul smell. Aside from seeking medical help, there are things that you can do to stop foot excessive sweating problems and here are some tips:
Foot hygiene. If you have foot excessive sweating problem, it is important to keep your feet clean to avoid build up of bacteria. Always keep your foot nails clean. Wash your feet with antibacterial soap and warm water once a day. If you are wearing shoes everyday, wear clean dry socks because wearing shoes without socks encourage more sweating. Choose socks made from cotton because cotton socks are more absorbent and allow air circulation.
Avoid wearing synthetic or plastic footwear. It is important to choose the right type of footwear to avoid foot excessive sweating. Plastic and synthetic materials do not absorb moisture and they encourage more sweating. It is better to wear shoes with washable insole. Clean the inside of your shoes and let it dry to avoid the growth of bacteria.
Soak your feet in brewed tea. Tea contains tannins that constricts or tightens sweat glands opening and reduces sweating. It is best to use black tea. Soaking your feet in brewed tea 30 minutes daily for a week can help in stopping foot excessive sweating.
You can get rid of your foot excessive sweating problems using natural treatment. To know more about natural cures and to get rid of foot sweating problems in just two weeks, visit Stop Sweating And Start Living
To know more about excessive sweating natural treatment visit Cure Excessive Sweating Problem
To find out more about health and beauty remedies visit Great Discovery-Health and Beauty

How to Avoid Hemorrhoids

2009-10-13T20:32:00.000+07:00

Today, I wanted to alert you to something will afflict 40% of the adult population (or more) at some point of their lives. It's called hemorrhoids or piles and it's basically any form of vein inflammation around the lower rectal regions. Blood on your toilet paper? Itching in your anus area? Pain during constipation? All of these are likely signs that you may have hemorrhoids and it's no laughing matter; because although common, they can be annoying and embarrassing.
In the more severe stages, they can fall out like a lump outside your bottom. So what are some common mistakes that people make which contribute to developing this common condition? Even if you have these already, avoiding the following 3 mistakes can start relieving the problem gradually.
Mistake #1: Eating too much processed food
This can be a toughie for some people. However, it's known that processed foods create harder stool and troubles in digestion. This creates constipation and other issues which can lead to hemorrhoids. The key here, especially when you are suffering and trying to cure hemorrhoids, is to lower your intake of processed sugars and foods.
Mistake #2: Sedentary lifestyle
A lot of long term sitting can create additional pressure on the bottom area and this invokes the perfect environment for a hemorrhoid to occur if combined with a sharp force such as constipation or pregnancy (in women). The solution is to make sure you do not sit for over 1 hour at a time, and remember to do stretches that promote healthy blood flow.
Mistake #3: Intake of processed medication and creams
This creates the same potential problem as processed foods. Even many of the fiber supplements contain processed and artificial elements that can create side-effects elsewhere; and lastly they are not even attacking the root of the problem here.
The other downside of these creams which do no benefit is that they waste one's time and the hemorrhoid can get worse over time if the root problem is not reversed.
So try to avoid these 3 mistakes and you will not be contributing to any worsening of hemorrhoids. It's very important to understand these in our modern lifestyle of sedentary office work and processed, convenient diets.
In my next article I will discuss a few treatments that have worked for me and many others.

Heart Attack: A deadly disease

2009-08-28T18:32:00.001+07:00

April 8, Wednesday. About 11.30 AM.
I was on duty in the Cornonay Care Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Then I saw a middle aged man was entering the ward being escorted by a man. He was visibly struggling and fighting for his respiration. Me and my colleagues quickly arranged for a bed with high flow oxygen attached with a nasal canula. The patient was so struggling that he couldn't speak at all. His attendant told us that he found the man lying with crumbling chest pain in the street and brought him to the hospital. He did not know him. An ECG was done and the patient was found to have a major heart attack. He was selected for thrombolysis but that cost about BDT 3000 (US $ 45) which was not found with the patient. We the doctors somehow arranged the money and sent the attendant to bring that medicine. In the meantime the patient had cardiac arrest, he was given CPR with cardiac defibrilation. Fortunate he reverted to normal cardiac activity and eventually duly thrombolysed. His subsequent recovery was uneventful and he was discharged from the hospital after 7 days. Although he survived the worst this time, the days to come is not so peaceful as before. He was prescribed a handful of medicines, most of them to be taken life long along with several advices which may compromise the quality of life.

The patient survived. But others may not be as fortunate as him. Heart diseases are the leading cause of death in the developing countries for quite a few decades and now becoming as monsterous in our country also.

We should be careful about this diseases, try our best to prevent them. At the same time some basic orientation about heart attack and familiarity with some simple measures may substantially reduce the mortality and morbidity of heart attack